Friday July 20 marked another feat for the Shanti Niwas Charitable Trust as it successfully launched the drop-in centre at the Bhartiya Mandir complex in Balmoral. 

The project is jointly run by Bhartiya Mandir on Balmoral Road and Shanti Niwas, a not-for-profit community organisation providing its services to the senior citizens since 1998.

Earlier in May, Shanti Niwas opened its third branch at Manurewa, which will cater its services to the seniors present in the south Auckland region.

Present at the event were 200 people, including president of Bhartiya Mandir Charitable Trust Hemant Parashar, seniors of Shanti Niwas, parliamentarians such as Labour MP Michael Wood, National List MP Parmjit Parmar, Roshan Nauhria, NZ Police representatives, Lee Corrick from the Albert-Eden Local Board and community leaders.

The venue will be open on Wednesday and Friday with one social worker present. The aim of this centre is not to just to cater to the seniors but also to serve the centre as a place for the young ones, and the seniors alike to meet, socialise, learn, relax in a safe environment.

“We have been working on this project for long, and it is truly a pleasure to see it come true,” Nilima Venkat, manager of Shanti Niwas told The Indian Weekender. 

Labour MP Michael Wood commended this initiative of Bhartiya Mandir and Shanti Niwas and mentioned the commitment of the government toward the well-being of the seniors of the community.

"Shanti Niwas is helping people connect in so many ways. It is a wonderful initiative which is sure to go well,” Michael Wood said at the event. 

The centre is open to seniors of not only the Indian community, but it also invites seniors of other communities to be a part of this noble initiative and make the most of the services offered. 

“Everyone is welcome to walk in and take advantage of the newspapers, books, magazines, surf the internet, play games, take part in activities, or just sit back and have a chat with friends or even a snooze during the day,” Mrs Venkat added. 

For further information visit websitewww.shantiniwas.org.nz or phone 09-6221010.

All community members are welcome to take advantage of this facility. Coffee and tea will be available to all visitors using the facility.