Indian-origin Australian senator takes oath on Bhagavad Gita in historic moment
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Canberra: Varun Ghosh, an Indian-origin Australian Senator, recently created history by taking the oath of office on the Bhagavad Gita.
The former barrister stepped into the Senate vacancy left by Pat Dodson, who resigned for cancer treatment.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed Varun Ghosh, stating that he will be a "great voice" for Western Australia. Albanese expressed his support for Ghosh's candidacy, acknowledging the significant role he will play, reported The Sydney Morning Herald.
On February 5, Albanese shared on social media, "Welcome Varun Ghosh, our newest Senator from Western Australia. Fantastic to have you on the team."
Born in 1985, Varun Ghosh serves as a barrister at the Francis Burt Chambers, specialising in commercial and administrative law, industrial relations, and employment law. His parents, both doctors, immigrated from India to Australia in the 1980s. Ghosh joined the Labor Party in Perth at the age of 17.
He holds an honours degree in law and arts from the University of Western Australia (UWA), where he also served on the Guild Council as Chair and guild secretary. Additionally, Ghosh earned a master's in law from the University of Cambridge in the UK.
Expressing his commitment to education and training accessibility for everyone, Ghosh stated, "I have had the privilege of a good education and believe strongly that high-quality education and training should be available to everyone."
Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong welcomed Varun Ghosh, noting that he would be a "strong voice for his community and for West Australians." She highlighted his historic oath on the Bhagavad Gita, emphasising the significance of being the first Australian Senator to take the oath in this manner. Wong expressed confidence in Ghosh's role as a valuable member of the Labor Senate team.
