India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand Ms Neeta Bhushan visited Auckland’s Mahatma Gandhi Centre and the Auckland Indian Association for the first time on 29 November. Ms Bhushan started her visit of the sprawling complex with a darshan at the Radha Krishna Mandir, where priest Rev Devrambhai Rawal greeted her and offered a small puja on her behalf, reciting mantras.
The High Commissioner was accompanied by India’s Honorary Consul in Auckland Bhav Dhillon and the committee members of the Auckland Indian Association led by President Dhansukhbhai Lal.
Dhansukhbhai briefly outlined the hundred-year history of the Auckland Indian Association, how it had begun in the garage of an early Indian settler’s home and its journey through the Gandhi Hall in downtown Auckland to its present premises in Eden Terrace.
Ms Bhushan keenly listened to descriptions of the Association’s many activities and asked several questions about the organisation’s workings. The office bearers explained its strong governance systems and its robust constitution that guaranteed democratic processes were always adhered to.
She was appreciative of the work that the association did along with other Indian community organisations and the Indian High Commission during the Covid crisis, distributing food and essential from its premises while adhering to strict quarantine measures set out by NZ’s health authorities.
It’s a testament to the organisation’s cohesiveness and spirit of working together selflessly that as well as President Dhansukhlal, three former presidents – Narendra Bhana (now President of NZICA), Ashok Daji Gaiwala and Harshad Patel were present to welcome the High Commissioner and the Honorary Consul on the day.
The President and committee members also briefed the High Commissioner about the activities of the Centre for Indian Performing Arts (CIPA) the association’s joint initiative with the Mohan Nadkarni Foundation. CIPA was launched on August 15, 2021, and then High Commissioner Mr Muktesh Pardeshi at whose hands it was inaugurated had announced a grant from the Government of India.
High Commissioner Ms Bhushan wished the association well and said that the High Commission looked forward to working closely with the association.
Later in the day, the High Commissioner and the Honorary Consul visited the Rose Cottage Superette, the site of the unfortunate killing of dairy worker Janak Patel. She paid her respects to the departed soul and placed flowers outside the dairy. She met with close family member Ishwarbhai and family friend Vinod Kumar who were at the site. Ms Bhushan expressed her deepest condolences and assured support from the High Commission, seconded by the Honorary Consul.
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