Kiwi-Indian conferred with Bharat Gaurav award
Sunil Kaushal, President Waitakere Indian Association and a champion of promoting India-New Zealand relations, has been conferred with the Bharat Gaurav Award by an India-based Non-Government Organisation (NGO) in the category of service to the Indian Diaspora in New Zealand.
Kaushal became the third Kiwi-Indian after the noted Judge Dr Ajit Swaran Singh and Tarun Pragji of Hamilton Indian Association to be conferred with the Bharat Gaurav Award.
The award, now in its ninth year, was constituted by Sanskriti Yuva Sanstha - an India based Non-Government Organisation (NGO) with the vision of promoting Indian culture and society – and every year recognises the significant contributions of Indian people from all around the world in the field of education, business, culture and other areas of societal development.
According to Suresh Mishra, the President of Sanskriti Yuva Sanstha, “This award felicitates people with extraordinary excellence in their fields and makes India proud.”
Every year a glittering award ceremony is held in different iconic locations all around the world, including the USA, the UK, and others, with the 2021 event scheduled to be held in Dubai on Friday, December 24.
Sharing the excitement about the news with the Indian Weekender, Kaushal said, “It came as a shock out of the blue when I was informed by the past Awardee judge Ajit Swaran Singh that I had been awarded the Bharat Gaurav Award. It took me a while to sink.”
A champion in advocating India in NZ
Living and working in NZ for two decades, Kaushal has slowly carved a special place for himself for passionately advocating India and highlighting the potential that India and Indian people offer to NZ through his different capacities and different roles.
In the finance industry, Kaushal had shown excellence and risen from the ranks to the position of Head of India Relations at National Bank (and then subsequently ANZ Bank after their merger). He was the first Indian to hold that position in the bank.
Kaushal was also amongst the first few initiators of the Indian Networking Group, which brought together the Indian Diaspora in the bank to showcase not only their talent and skills but also their culture. Subsequently, the bank also presented him with the global CEO award for his efforts in championing Diversity & Inclusion at the workplace.
However, it is his contribution and passion for advocacy for India beyond his workplaces, such as in the roles of Chair, India New Zealand Business Council (INZBC) – a premium trade body for promoting NZ-India bilateral trade that has left a significant mark and impression.
Kaushal has been part of the outgoing trade delegation that accompanied the then Prime Minister Sir John Key on his first visit to India in 2011.
Kaushal has also operated a consultancy providing Indian market entry strategies for many Kiwi businesses by assisting them on the ground operations in the vibrant Indian market.
Among many varied roles that Kaushal plays, another role of significance is the President, Waitakere Indian Association – one of the largest Indian Community Organisations based in West Auckland.
In that role and leadership position, Kaushal used his influence to commission a special research report showcasing the first-ever research into the economic contributions of Kiwi Indians - $10bn and growing.
History of quiet philanthropic work in the community
Born to parents who served their lives in the service of underprivileged people back in India, Kaushal had developed an affinity to serve people who were less fortunate than him.
In the 1990s he got involved with his parents in establishing of an orphanage in Dharamgarh village of Kalahandi district in Odisha – an area then undergoing severe drought and acute human miseries.
In NZ, Kaushal continues to remain connected with the community and his roots back in India through silent philanthropic work.
Kaushal has been married to Cherie for the past 22 years, and they have four lovely children aged from 11 to 20 years.
When not working for the passionate causes that he represents, Kaushal loves playing cricket, taking photos, and taking his dog for long walks.
“I am very humbled and honoured to receive the Bharat Gaurav award, and it certainly motivates me to continue to serve the diaspora as well as advocate for a stronger NZ India relationship,” Kaushal said.
Sunil Kaushal, President Waitakere Indian Association and a champion of promoting India-New Zealand relations, has been conferred with the Bharat Gaurav Award by an India-based Non-Government Organisation (NGO) in the category of service to the Indian Diaspora in New Zealand.
Kaushal became the...
Sunil Kaushal, President Waitakere Indian Association and a champion of promoting India-New Zealand relations, has been conferred with the Bharat Gaurav Award by an India-based Non-Government Organisation (NGO) in the category of service to the Indian Diaspora in New Zealand.
Kaushal became the third Kiwi-Indian after the noted Judge Dr Ajit Swaran Singh and Tarun Pragji of Hamilton Indian Association to be conferred with the Bharat Gaurav Award.
The award, now in its ninth year, was constituted by Sanskriti Yuva Sanstha - an India based Non-Government Organisation (NGO) with the vision of promoting Indian culture and society – and every year recognises the significant contributions of Indian people from all around the world in the field of education, business, culture and other areas of societal development.
According to Suresh Mishra, the President of Sanskriti Yuva Sanstha, “This award felicitates people with extraordinary excellence in their fields and makes India proud.”
Every year a glittering award ceremony is held in different iconic locations all around the world, including the USA, the UK, and others, with the 2021 event scheduled to be held in Dubai on Friday, December 24.
Sharing the excitement about the news with the Indian Weekender, Kaushal said, “It came as a shock out of the blue when I was informed by the past Awardee judge Ajit Swaran Singh that I had been awarded the Bharat Gaurav Award. It took me a while to sink.”
A champion in advocating India in NZ
Living and working in NZ for two decades, Kaushal has slowly carved a special place for himself for passionately advocating India and highlighting the potential that India and Indian people offer to NZ through his different capacities and different roles.
In the finance industry, Kaushal had shown excellence and risen from the ranks to the position of Head of India Relations at National Bank (and then subsequently ANZ Bank after their merger). He was the first Indian to hold that position in the bank.
Kaushal was also amongst the first few initiators of the Indian Networking Group, which brought together the Indian Diaspora in the bank to showcase not only their talent and skills but also their culture. Subsequently, the bank also presented him with the global CEO award for his efforts in championing Diversity & Inclusion at the workplace.
However, it is his contribution and passion for advocacy for India beyond his workplaces, such as in the roles of Chair, India New Zealand Business Council (INZBC) – a premium trade body for promoting NZ-India bilateral trade that has left a significant mark and impression.
Kaushal has been part of the outgoing trade delegation that accompanied the then Prime Minister Sir John Key on his first visit to India in 2011.
Kaushal has also operated a consultancy providing Indian market entry strategies for many Kiwi businesses by assisting them on the ground operations in the vibrant Indian market.
Among many varied roles that Kaushal plays, another role of significance is the President, Waitakere Indian Association – one of the largest Indian Community Organisations based in West Auckland.
In that role and leadership position, Kaushal used his influence to commission a special research report showcasing the first-ever research into the economic contributions of Kiwi Indians - $10bn and growing.
History of quiet philanthropic work in the community
Born to parents who served their lives in the service of underprivileged people back in India, Kaushal had developed an affinity to serve people who were less fortunate than him.
In the 1990s he got involved with his parents in establishing of an orphanage in Dharamgarh village of Kalahandi district in Odisha – an area then undergoing severe drought and acute human miseries.
In NZ, Kaushal continues to remain connected with the community and his roots back in India through silent philanthropic work.
Kaushal has been married to Cherie for the past 22 years, and they have four lovely children aged from 11 to 20 years.
When not working for the passionate causes that he represents, Kaushal loves playing cricket, taking photos, and taking his dog for long walks.
“I am very humbled and honoured to receive the Bharat Gaurav award, and it certainly motivates me to continue to serve the diaspora as well as advocate for a stronger NZ India relationship,” Kaushal said.
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