Rinesh Sharma | |
|---|---|
 Sharma in 2023 | |
| Member of the
Fijian Parliament for FijiFirst List | |
| Assumed office 14 December 2022 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 April 1993 Lautoka, Fiji |
| Political party | FijiFirst |
Rinesh Rajesh Sharma (born 22 April 1993) is a Fijian entrepreneur, politician and member of the Parliament of Fiji. [1] He is a member of the FijiFirst party.
Early career and education
In 2018, Sharma graduated from Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering and Technology in India with a Bachelor of Computer Science and Engineering degree. He is originally from Lautoka. [2] He then founded Smarts Fiji which specialises in hydroponics farming. [3] That same year, he was able to secure a government-backed grant to begin automated hydroponics farms on a commercial scale in Fiji. [4]
In February 2020, Sharma was nominated for the 2020 Commonwealth Youth Awards. That same year, he received funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to combat the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in Fiji. [5]
Political career
Sharma was one of the candidates announced by FijiFirst for the 2022 Fijian general election. [6] He was elected to the Parliament of Fiji with 1,705 votes. [7] At 29, he is the youngest to be serving as a member of parliament. [8] [9]
References
- ^ "Top 55 confirmed". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. 18 December 2022. Archived from the original on 23 December 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
- ^ "Three Fijians Shortlisted For Commonwealth Youth Awards". fijisun.com.fj. 24 February 2022. Archived from the original on 28 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
- ^ "Hydroponic farming a convenient option: Sharma". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. 25 November 2018. Archived from the original on 22 January 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
- ^ "Young Fijian Makes Good Use Of Govt Scheme". fijisun.com.fj. 22 September 2018. Archived from the original on 5 August 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
- ^ Chaudhary, Felix (15 May 2020). "Fijian among five people to receive funding from Gates Foundation". FijiTimes. Archived from the original on 17 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
- ^ Journalist, Litia Cava Multimedia (6 October 2022). "FijiFirst announces 20 provisional candidates". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
- ^ "Rinesh Rajesh Sharma (277)". Fijian Elections Office. Archived from the original on 22 January 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
- ^ "Rinesh Sharma Is The Youngest Elected MP". fijisun.com.fj. 21 December 2022. Archived from the original on 22 December 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
- ^ "Entrepreneur brings skillset to Parliament". FijiLive. 20 December 2022. Archived from the original on 22 December 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2023.