Gurnek Bindra singh an Indian farming family have been fighting for their rights for over a century Newshub reports in a story of an intergenerational family struggles.The great grand father of Gurnek, Basanta Singh came to New Zealand in 1920 and ended up doing market gardening since then in Pukekohe.The animosity of racism and discrimination have been witnessed by all four generations.
A white new Zealand league was formed by a group of farmers and business owners in 1925.
It did not made it easy for the Indians and Chinese to farm on the lands of the whites.
They used to go to local councils and say 'we don't want any more Chinese, we don't want any more Indians'," says Tim Fulton, author of Kiwi Farmers' Guide to Life.
"They were seen as a scourge, as a real threat."
The White league did everything in their power to sanction penalties on the Indian and the Chinese farmers. They were not only restricted to the farming but also allocated them with only one chemist or grocery shops.
Racism was so much at its peak that the Indians were not allowed to sit in the cinema with the white people.
Tim Fulton who is an author for 25 different farming books mentioned that Gurnek’s story really stand out from the rest.
‘’[We are reaping the rewards now for what the hardship they've been through," Gurnek says
Although it might be easier for the younger generation but their family values and hard work is a big part of their everyday life.
Gurnek wishes for his kids to follow his footsteps , learning the harships faced by their elders and someday taking over the business.