Auckland: It was heartwarming to watch the more than 200 seniors of Indian origin have a great time at the Christmas party organised especially for them at Chaska Punjab Da restaurant in Epsom last Saturday.
Impeccably organised by the Jeet Sachdev-led Bharatiya Samaj, the seniors spent several hours mingling with each other, singing, dancing and generally having a ball in keeping with the spirit of the festive season.
Co hosts Roopa Sachdev and Shivani Arora gave the proceedings their own special touch by making the guests feel at home and encouraging and urging each and every of the members present to participate in the gaiety.
A highlight of the afternoon was the manner in which the seniors opened their hearts and their wallets for the Indian Weekender Make A Difference for St John Appeal. The project aims to raise funds toward an ambulance for the nation’s largest ambulance service, St John, as a gesture of goodwill and gratitude from the Indian community in Auckland and the rest of New Zealand.
In response to a brief speech by Kiwi Media Group director and Indian Weekender publisher Giri Gupta and a short presentation by St John’s volunteer Mr Bertrand, nearly every senior member present donated to the cause by inserting coins and notes in the two sealed boxes as they were taken around the hall by volunteers.
One senior citizen gave an impromptu speech in support of the case with all spontaneity. “How many of us have used this amazing service?” he asked. Several dozen hands went up. Then he went on to narrate his own experience and the lack of such a convenient facility back in India because of which there are so many easily avoidable deaths every year.
He urged all those present to donate generously. Most seniors who spoke during the programme seconded his appeal and wished Indian Weekender well in its endeavor to establish an ambulance donated to society with donations from the Indian community.
Mr Bertrand thanked those present for their generosity, as did Mr Gupta of Indian Weekender. Mr Jeet Sachdev, Ms Roopa Sachdev and Ms Shivani Arora also congratulated Indian Weekender on taking up the project.
The gathering was treated to a lovely repast complete with entrees and an Indian style lunch served up by the recently reinvigorated management of Chaska Punjab Da.