Indian-origin Varun Ghosh becomes first Australian Senator to take oath on Bhagavad Gita
Canberra/IBNS: Scripting history, barrister Varun Ghosh became the first Australian Senator to take oath on Bhagavad Gita, a 700-verse Hindu scripture which is a part of the epic Mahabharata, media reports said.
Ghosh, a senator from Western Australia, was chosen to represent the state by the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council.
Welcoming him, Australia Foreign Minister Penny Wong posted on X, "Welcome to Varun Ghosh, our newest Senator from Western Australia. Senator Ghosh is the first ever Australian Senator sworn in on the Bhagavad Gita.
"I have often said, when you're the first at something, you've got to make sure you're not the last."
He posted on X, "I know Senator Ghosh will be a strong voice for his community and for West Australians. Wonderful to have you on the Labor Senate team."
I know Senator Ghosh will be a strong voice for his community and for West Australians.
— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) February 6, 2024
Wonderful to have you on the Labor Senate team.
Ghosh, who was born in 1985 in Canberra, moved to Perth in 1997 with his Bengali parents.
He was admitted for practicing law in 2009 and later joined Mallesons Stephen Jacques as a solicitor.
Ghosh later moved to New York City where he worked for banks and private equity firms. He also worked as a consultant to the World Bank on some fronts.
Ghosh joined the Australian Labor Party in his venture out to politics at the age of 17.
"I have had the privilege of a good education and believe strongly that high-quality education and training should be available to everyone," Ghosh said in a statement quoted by NDTV.