The India Day event by Auckland Indian Association Inc. on Saturday, February 13 at Mahatma Gandhi Centre will launch the centenary celebrations of the Association which was already delayed by a few months due to Covid-19.
AIA has organised India Day event in partnership with the High Commission of India in Wellington and Auckland Indian Diaspora organisations.
Auckland Indian Association Inc. completed its 100 years of establishment in 2020 and had a number of events lined up last year to commemorate its feat of completing a century of existence.
The India Day event on Saturday will be attended by the High Commissioner of India, Muktesh Pardeshi, former Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand, Hon Consul of India in Auckland Bhav Dhillon, Minister of Transport Michael Wood, president of NZICA Paul Patel and representatives and leaders of different Indian community organisations.
Speaking with the Indian Weekender, High Commissioner of India Muktesh Pardeshi said, “This India Day is in celebration of the 100 years of Auckland Indian Association. It is a landmark development in the history of the migration of Indians to NZ. The High Commission and several community associations have joined hands to present a befitting cultural show as a tribute to our ancestors who sailed to Aotearoa more than a century ago in search of better lives.”
“I look forward to participating in the event and interacting with the representatives of our vibrant diaspora,” Mr Pardeshi said.
The event will start at 3 p.m. with the traditional lamp lighting followed by prayers, speeches, cultural performances and address by the guests on Auckland Indian Association’s 100 years completion.
President of Auckland Indian Association Inc. Narendra Bhana
President of Auckland Indian Association Inc. Narendra Bhana told the Indian Weekender that they have collaborated with several Auckland based Indian community organisations and talented independent artists from the community to present cultural performances at the event.
As a part of the centenary celebrations, AIA plans to host a Bhagwat Geeta Katha event in the coming months inviting eight scholars from overseas to deliver the programme.
“The special Katha event is in the pipeline, but it depends on if and when the border restrictions are relieved. If not, we will get our local priests to deliver the week-long programme,” Mr Bhana said.
An exhibition on the legacy and works of Auckland Indian Association is also planned that will enlighten the community of its history, works, and important people who contributed towards the establishment and running of the 100-year-old community organisation.
Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Auckland
A centenary special publication or souvenir, musical programme, cultural day, women’s event and gala dinner is also in the pipeline as a part of the celebration.
“Our goal through all these programmes, events, a souvenir is to highlight the works of Auckland Indian Association and set a precedent for the next several decades for our community organisation,” Mr Bhana added.
The India Day event since its announcement earlier last month has generated a good interest amongst the community members, and the event is said to be full with approximately 1000 attendees on Saturday.
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