Shanti Niwas Charitable Trust, a non-profit organization, serving Indian and South Asian seniors in Auckland completed its 25 years of operations and hosted a celebratory event at the Mt Eden War Memorial Hall on Wednesday, July 24.
Members of Parliament, community leaders, NZ Police personnel and Hon Consul of India, Bhav Dhillon were some of the invited guests present at the event who lauded the works of Shanti Niwas for the last 25 years.
The event had senior members of the Indian and Asian community who take support and participate in several activities organized by Shanti Niwas across the year.
Speaking at the event, Hon Consul Bhav Dhillon acknowledged the efforts of Shanti Niwas in starting several programs and conducting different activities that engage the senior members of the community.
Shanti Niwas also provides assistance and counseling to elders who are separated from their families and provides temporary accommodation and support to elders abused in family disputes etc.
Speaking with The Indian Weekender, Nilima Venkat, the General Manager of Shanti Niwas said it was indeed a proud moment for the team who have been associated with the organization for years and provided every effort required by the senior members of the community.
“We are privileged to be in a position to help the seniors, plan and conduct events that engage them and gives them more self-confidence and proud of themselves,” Nilima Venkat said.
Speaking at the event, Ms Venkat also acknowledged the efforts of the volunteers who put countless numbers of hours in dedication to their work without which the functioning of any such organizations would be impossible.
“The volunteers are one of the most important pillars of any community organization who selflessly come forward, sacrificing their family time, leisure time and help put programs and events like this together that help conducting regular activities and engaging the seniors,” Ms Venkat added.
To amplify the happy environment at the event- a local dance group 50-50 gave stage performance on Bollywood numbers and also engaged with the audience that included the guests, dignitaries, seniors and organization members who mirrored the dance moves by the dancers on the stage.
Shanti Niwas also placed a photo exhibition of the seniors performing and participating in different activities organized by Shanti Niwas throughout the year, an exhibition leading down to the memory lane and remember the joys of being together and sharing the moment.
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