The Ormiston Senior College campus came alive with vibrant colours, rhythmic beats, and a shared sense of cultural pride as the institute organized " the Celebration of Indian Diaspora" event on August 15, India’s Independence Day.
The Flat Bush event, aimed at honouring the rich heritage of the Indian community in New Zealand and fostering cross-cultural understanding, saw an impressive turnout of at least 300 attendees.
Distinguished dignitaries graced the event, including chief guest Bhav Dhillon, Honorary Consul of India in Auckland, and notable figures like Justice Ajit Swaran Singh, Navtej Singh Randhawa and Krishna Naidu.
The main inspiration behind the event stemmed from Ormiston Senior College's commitment to celebrating diversity among its students. Talking to Indian Weekender, Manish Tanna, one of the teachers, said, “It’s a practice of the Ormiston Senior College to celebrate the diversity of its
students.
“A suggestion was made to the principal to have August 15 as a celebration of the Indian diaspora this year. It was supported wholeheartedly by the leadership team and the Ormiston community at large.”
The day-long festivities commenced with a remarkable display of cultural fusion as students and staff donned traditional Indian attire, showcasing a rainbow of colours and patterns.
The gesture was not confined to individuals of Indian origin, as a diverse array of participants joined in the celebration, demonstrating the event's power to bridge cultural gaps. During the lunchtime programme, students and staff were treated to a presentation on the history and global spread
of the Indian diaspora.
The narrative delved into the stories of individuals who ventured from India, as well as from places like Fiji, South Africa, Malaysia, and Singapore, to make New Zealand their home.
This offered attendees a deeper understanding of the shared journey of Indian communities around the world. The evening segment of the celebration saw captivating performances of traditional Indian dances and melodious musical renditions.
A guest performance by the renowned group V4u Entertainment added an extra layer of excitement to the proceedings. Attendees swayed to a lively mashup of Bollywood songs, showcasing the vibrancy and energy of Indian culture.
The event also featured stalls adorned with Indian delicacies and artifacts, offering attendees an unforgettable experience of India's diverse flavours and artistic creations.
Tanna maintained such events make the younger generation aware of their heritage and motivate them to contribute in a better way to the country they are now calling their home.
“It gives them a sense of pride about their culture and gives the other ethnicities insight into Indian values and achievements, a cohesive society with mutual respect. It is very important to celebrate every culture.”
One of the attendees, Ramanpreet Kaur, said, “The event reinforced the importance of embracing cultural diversity and unity in the community. The event also offered non- Indian attendees a window into our Indian values, traditions, and accomplishments, enriching the fabric of
New Zealand's diverse society.”
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