A Christchurch based Indian community organisation is hosting its first cultural event post-Covid ‘Mela Punjabana Da’, the proceeds of which will go towards the international students facing hardship due to job losses since the lockdown earlier this year.
IndianNZ Association of Christchurch is organising the event after a massive demand from the Punjabi community there, and which is expected to receive a footfall of more than 500 ladies at the event.
Ladies gathered at the Multicultural ladies night 2020 held in March this year in Christchurch
“This is the first Indian event happening in Christchurch after lockdown, and we as a community organisation thought it is important to organise something exciting that will bring happiness in people’s lives here, especially to support local small businesses and international students ,” Gurvinder Singh, president of the IndianNZ Association of Christchurch said.
The event is scheduled to be held on Saturday, July 25 at La Vida Centre in Upper Riccarton, in Christchurch lead by Chair of the Association Parminder Kaur.
“The coming Saturday will be an evening full of cultural performances, Jaggo, Gidda, Bhangra, live music, lucky draw, delicious Indian food and many more,” Parminder Kaur said.
As a part of the event, a pageant, ‘Bibi Punjaban’ is also being hosted, with the winner awarded with a Diamond Gold ring.
The organisers said they had kept the price of the tickets to a nominal amount of five dollars so that every woman from the Punjabi, Indian and non-Indian community can come to the event and enjoy the richness of the Punjabi culture and festivity.
The hosts have encouraged the community to invite their female colleagues, friends, neighbours, especially from the non-Indian communities to the event so that they can participate and witness the richness of the Indian culture, its festivities and food.
Ladies gathered at the Multicultural ladies night 2020 held in March this year in Christchurch
Ms Kaur further added that since the lockdown announced in the country in March this year, a lot of international students who thrive and survive of temporary jobs here lost their earnings either due to closure or being made redundant.
“Keeping in mind how we can come forward and help these international students, some of whom have still not reeled from their job loss and are having a hard time paying their rents, groceries etc., we decided to keep the prices of the stall, and tickets to a minimum, and all proceeds from ticket sales to go towards International Students Hardship Fund,” Ms Kaur said.