Noted Kiwi-Indian industrialist and a well-known philanthropist Roshan Nauhria has been inducted into Kiwi-Indian Hall of Fame 2021 in a glittering ceremony at the Cordis Hotel, Auckland on Wednesday, June 16.
Nauhria was chosen for the honours by an illustrious jury on the back of his exhilarating career track record of more than three decades within the construction industry ranging from Building and Development through to importing, manufacturing and distribution of various building materials and components.
His story is a quintessential story of a migrant, who leaves behind their shores, with dreams in their eyes, often with little resources at their disposal, but a firm resolve to make it big in their chosen new home in a distant foreign land.
Roshan Nauhria landed in New Zealand in 1972 at the age of 28 with his wife and embarked upon an inspirational journey that saw him rise as one of the leading industrialists in the Kiwi-Indian community.
This journey, indeed, was not easy, with its fair share of struggles, disappointments and roadblocks.
Eventually, he set up the Nauhria Group of companies that deals in multiple businesses in the construction sector, such as precast and reinforced steel.
As a leading industrialist, he has been an integral part of the business-to-business level relations between New Zealand and India, including being a part of the high-level business delegation accompanying former Prime Minister Sir John Key in 2011.
However, his stupendous success did not alienate him from his roots and the community.
He continued to maintain a strong connection with the community not only in New Zealand but also back home in India through different community and charitable initiatives that makes him a true people-person.
One of his major contribution to the community onshore was in being closely involved in the long pursuit of getting the first Hindu place of worship place in New Zealand to fulfil the community’s aspirations, which eventually culminated in the foundation of the landmark Balmoral Temple in Sandringham, Auckland.
He was instrumental in helping build the Hamilton Gurdwara, Otahuhu Gurdwara and Kolmar Road Gurdwara in Papatoetoe and is an active member of the well-known ISKCON Temple at Riverhead.
In the last few years, he has built a charitable super medical facility centre in his hometown –Dharamkot – in the Indian state of Punjab, along with an educational institute that provides free education for girls.
The list of his philanthropy is long and illustrious, something that he holds very close to his heart, despite his trailblazing success in business and public life in New Zealand.
For his contributions to the community he was appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2009.
His passion to make a difference in the lives of people in the community led him to launch a political party for migrants in 2016 – a step considered by many as too bold in New Zealand’s politics.
However, it surely revealed his passion for the community and the desire to push beyond boundaries and status quo when it comes to making a difference in the community.
The Indian Weekender recognises the hard work, commitment and contribution of Mr Nauhria to the community and inducted him in the Kiwi-Indian Hall of Fame 2021.