A group of Indian professionals in Christchurch is hosting regular events helping its members meet new people, share ideas and build relationships.
Founded by a group of enthusiastic Indian professionals earlier this year as a Facebook group, it now has more than 1,100 members.
Members of the group come from a wide variety of backgrounds, including professionals and entrepreneurs. The meetup gatherings offer networking opportunities, sharing success stories, learning, and professional development.
Despite the fact that the first meetup took place just 5 months ago, the members are pleased with the outcomes of the gatherings.
Gary Singh, mortgage advisor and a founding member of the group says, "Our interactions at the meetup are strictly work-related, which allows us to gain insights into what's happening on the professional or business landscape, what opportunities and challenges lie ahead, and also to gain from each other's experience."
Gary has an MBA degree with a banking background, and experience and access to all the major banks across the country. "We discourage pitching to each other as the primary objective of the meetups is not selling but learning. Many times, we are going through a rough patch and hearing the success stories of other members motivates and energises you," Gary adds.
"We believe that everyone has something to offer and can benefit from connecting with others. Our mission is to create lasting connections between like-minded professionals who are looking for ways to grow as individuals and in their respective careers."
Another founding member, Manu Chauhan, a sales consultant, shares, "We intentionally keep the proceedings positive. We do not discuss politics or religion, which sometimes leads to conflict and negativity. That's why the outcomes of our meetups are constructive and positive for all. Though we call ourselves an Indian professionals group, we welcome professionals from all ethnicities and from diverse industries as it enriches the discussions."
The group has hosted meetups in local restaurants and cafes to support the local entrepreneurs.
"Our plan after hosting 6 events is to take things to the next level. We will keep working towards gaining more members from different backgrounds. We are also planning to start a newsletter. We also have various other suggestions from our members that we'll implement in the near future."
Canterbury has a thriving entrepreneur culture. The Indian community here has seen a growth spurt in recent years, and Indian professionals have made a significant impact on their respective fields of work. With initiatives such as these meetups, Indian professionals can take advantage of the opportunities and continue to make a mark through their ingenuity, preservation, and hard work.
Those who want to join the group can do so on Facebook or emailing at indianpchristchurch@gmail.com
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