India Day celebrations held on Saturday, February 13, at Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Auckland marked the beginning of centenary celebrations of Auckland Indian Association – arguably one of the oldest Indian community organisations in New Zealand.
The event which was hosted by Auckland Indian Association in partnership with the Indian High Commission and in close collaboration with other Auckland Indian Diaspora organisations witnessed enthusiastic participation from hundreds of community members.
The star-studded celebrations saw several cultural performances such as music, dance, and speeches by dignitaries on the Association's work in the community and followed by dinner for invited guests.
The event was attended by High Commissioner of India in New Zealand Muktesh Pardeshi, former Governor-General of New Zealand Sir Anand Satyanand, Hon Consul of India in Auckland Bhav Dhillon, Transport Minister and MP for Mt Roskill Michael Wood, President of New Zealand Indian Central Association Paul Patel, community leaders, representatives of different organisations and members of the Indian community.
The event commenced with the traditional lighting of Diya and an address by the President of AIA Narendra Bhana who welcomed guests and briefly spoke about the organisation's rich history besides informing about more celebratory events planned for the rest of year.
Mr Bhana also briefly revisited key functions and activities of the Association towards the larger goal of preserving and protecting the broader Indian culture amongst the wider Kiwi-Indian community.
"We run Gandhi Gruh Gujrati School from here, and I am proud to say that our Kiwi-born Indian girls won Bharat Ko Janiye quiz run by the Indian Government couple of years ago.
"This a living proof that our school is teaching our children Indian culture, language and heritage," Narendra Bhana said.
A richer foray into the history and antiquity of the 100-year-old Association was led by none other than the High Commissioner of India Muktesh Pardeshi and the Former Governor-General, Sir Anand Satyanand – who is arguably one of the greatest Kiwi-Indian - in their subsequent speeches.
Mr Pardeshi came well prepared about the rich history of the Association, illuminating the audiences with some exciting facts about the earliest phases of settlement of Indians in New Zealand and the eventual formation of Auckland Indian Association in 1920.
"Let me take you back to September 12 1920, the day a handful of early and suffering migrants, mainly from Gujarat, came together in a spirit of fraternity and perseverance in an alien land to create a platform and collective voice. The Auckland Indian Association was set up as a community service organisation with Chhotubhai Patel as its first President at a time when the number of Indians in this country was merely 671 if we go by the data compiled in 1921," Mr Pardeshi said.
Mr Pardeshi also touched upon the flourishing state of bilateral relations between India and New Zealand.
"We are working on a business partnership focussing on technology, innovation, best practices and with that objective in mind; we will be holding a two-day India-NZ Business Summit on 17 and 18 March in Auckland.
"I invite the business committee here to participate in the summit," Mr Pardeshi said.
Mr Pardeshi also announced the winner of Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and presented the winning certificate to Dhairesh Patel, one of fifteen Pravasi Indians worldwide to be travelling on a tour of India as a part of the winning prize.
Former Governor-General, Sir Anand Satyanand lauded the efforts of Auckland Indian Association for being the voice and representative of the Indian diaspora in Auckland and called the iconic Mahatma Gandhi Centre the pride of Kiwi Indian community in New Zealand.
"The centre can be described as the signature of a community of people of Indian origin now numbering more than 200000 people in New Zealand with a considerable proportion of those residing in Auckland.
"This building has been a source of pride for many memorable events, and standing with them all has to be an occasion celebrating the achievement of the centre," Sir Anand Satyanand said.
Echoing similar sentiments, Hon Consul of India, Bhav Dhillon congratulated Auckland Indian Association on completing its century of existence and serving the ever-growing Kiwi Indian community in New Zealand.
"Today is a very proud day in the history if our diaspora when a diaspora org has completed 100 years, and this reflects the deep commitment of our diaspora to this country and vice versa, and as a community, we have contributed in many different and important ways," Mr Dhillon said.
The Association also presented dance performances from Telangana Association, a Bhangra dance and a song by Gandhi Gruh Gujrati School, a Kathak performance, Lavni by Marathi Cultural Dance Group, group dance by Kerala Malayali community and Diverse Community Dance by Ella Kumar and group before closing the event for dinner.
It is expected that later on in the year, Auckland Indian Association's centenary celebrations will include cultural nights, photo exhibitions, releasing a souvenir, women's event musical programme and a gala dinner for the community.
Photos Courtesy: Laura Marttinen