Nepalese community leader ready to run for council

A LEADING member of Toowoomba’s Nepalese community has announced he’ll run in the upcoming council election.

IN THE RUNNING: Nepalese Association of Toowoomba president Eakraj Adhikari, pictured with his wife Samjhana Sapkota Adhikari, has announced he's running in this year's council election.

A LEADING member of Toowoomba's Nepalese community has announced he'll run in the upcoming council election.

Eakraj Adhikari, who is the president of the Nepalese Association of Toowoomba, will run on improving access to services for social issues like homelessness and domestic violence, as well as promoting the Garden City as a national model for multi-faith diversity.

Mr Adhikari said Toowoomba's new council should reflect the multitude of ethnicities, religions and backgrounds who called it home.

"We have a diverse community, and we need to see that represented in the council," he said.

"I strongly believe in the power of diversity and unity, and that way we can build respect and trust.

"I will work to hold up Toowoomba as a strong national model for a multi-faith and multicultural society."

Mr Adhikari said he wanted to help revitalise Toowoomba's CBD with more events, saying it could be a way to improve social cohesion while also supporting the city's small businesses.

"I think our city is a little dull, we need to revitalise," he said.

"I would really love to see more multicultural events in the CBD so small businesses would get more business."

Mr Adhikari, who was raised in India by his Nepalese parents, has lived in Toowoomba longer than any other place in his life.

He arrived in the Garden City on a student visa many years ago before falling in love with it and settling with his family.

Mr Adhikari is also the treasurer for charity Shelter of Hope, which raised plenty of money to support victims of the 2015 Nepal earthquake.

He said his best quality if elected would be listening to the region's needs and wants.

 

"The main thing is, I listen and feel for people," Mr Adhikari said.

"Being a councillor doesn't have to just be a job, they should be a friend or guardian, and I think I understand people really well."

The local government election will be held on March 28.

For more information, you can contact Mr Adhikari at [e-mail].