Kiwi Telugus celebrate Dussehra and Diwali

The Kiwi-Telugu community members came together for a splendid Dussehra and
Diwali celebration in Auckland.

The evening was organised by New Zealand Telugu Association (NZTA) on Sunday
(November 6 , 2022) at Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Auckland.

The event, which had around 400 people in attendance, also saw the presence of
many dignitaries.

The list of VIPs included Hon Consul of India in Auckland Bhav Dhillon, National
Party MP Melissa Lee, Deputy Mayor of Auckland Desley Simpson, National Party
ex-president Peter Goodfellow, NZICA president Shri Narendra Bhana and Auckland
Indian Association president Dhansukh Lal among others.

Many office bearers from different Indian cultural associations in NZ also graced the
occasion. Those in attendance included Telangana Association of NZ President
Narender Reddy Patlolla; Auckland Tamil Association president Sri Vai Ravindran,
OHM (organisation of Hindu Malayalees) President Sasi Nambeesan, Auckland
Marathi Association Inc Neha Nalawade and Telangana Jagruthi General Secretary
Lavanya Komal among others.

The cultural evening saw musical performances and a mythological drama which
was appreciated by all.

At the end of the evening, NZTA's new executive committee members were
introduced, whose term begins on January 1' 2023. The list of the newly elected
committee members for 2023 includes Suneel Kuncha – President; Srilatha
Magatala - General Secretary; Anitha Mogilicharla- Vice President; Arun Reddy -
Vice president; Janak Raj Bandi - V President; Murthy Digamarthi - V President;
Suprabha Pebbeti – Treasurer; Navitha Sreeram- Jt Treasurer; Hemavathi Anantha-
Jt Secretary; Kuldeep Ganisetti - Jt Secretary; Bhargavi Matta - Jt Secretary;
Sunitha Itla - Jt Secretary; Uma Pasumarthi - EC member; Kavitha Chiluka - EC
member; Girish Neelapu - EC member; Suprith Tumkur - EC member; Neeraja
Maddala - EC member; Pooja Chakilam - EC member; Sushma Kuncha - EC
member and Abijit Reddy Konda - EC member.

Suneel Kuncha, currently the General Secretary and now has been elected as the
President of NZTA, said, “It is a big privilege and an honour to be elected as NZTA's
president. I look forward to doing my best for our Kiwi-Indian community. Events like
these are so special as they give the community members a reason to come
together and celebrate the rich culture and heritage of our motherland India."

Sharing his thought about the event, National Party ex-MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi
said, "It was great to see some excellent folk and traditional dance performances at
the Dussehra and Diwali celebrations. Thanks to outgoing President Anitha
Maglichala and incoming President Suneel Kuncha and volunteers for the colourful
program.”

Another attendee Anita Keestra said, “A huge congratulations to NZ Telugu
Association (NZTA) for organising such a great event.”