The letters CD are the initials for Central Districts, which is what many Indians around New Zealand refer both the Central Districts Indian Association (CDIA) and the Central Districts Indian Sports Club (CDISC) to. Both are leading organisations in the central and lower North Island with CDIA organising the cultural and religious aspects of the Indian community and CDISC with sports.
The Central Districts Indian Association has been at the forefront of Indian cultural and religious events in the Manawatu for many years. Today the organisation is highly active with a membership base on the increase. The name Central Districts Indian Association has been in use since October 1999. Before this the Association was under the banner of Manawatu-Hawke’s Bay Indian Association (MHBIA), which was originally formed in 1945.
From this point on, the rate of arrival of Indians to the region increased with many families settling in the Palmerston North area with others living in the surrounding towns of Feilding, Foxton, Levin, Marton and Dannevirke, Eketahuna, Masterton, Pahiatua, Waipukarau and Woodville.
The surge in Indian population is believed to have been the catalyst for a number of Indian residents to create an Indian Association. The aim was for local Indians to support their fellow countrymen. The Association also provided the first point of contact for many new Indian migrants and helped them to settle into New Zealand life. Over the years the number of Indians in the region decreased with most of them leaving for larger cities. Interest in the Association’s activities waned resulting in activities only being held on rare occasions and to the point where it almost became inactive.
The 1970s saw another increase in Indian population, especially in the Palmerston North area. Dannevirke-raised Paul Patel, now living in Palmerston North, wanted to see the Association revitalised so he wrote to all the families in the region to gauge their support in forming a local association. Sport was a common interest for local Indians and an unofficial Indian Sports Club was already in existence. It was decided to form an official Indian Sports Club similar to those already operating in other parts of New Zealand. There was positive support for this idea and in March 1982 the Central Districts Indian Sports Club was formed. Although sport was the major focus, CDISC also held Indian religious functions including Diwali other social events.
In 1988 Paul again wrote to the local families. He felt that the time was right to revitalise the original Manawatu-Hawke’s Bay Indian Association to organise the cultural and religious events in the region. This left CDISC free to concentrate on their sporting activities. Once again there was a favourable response and the Association was rejuvenated with strong support. Two years later in 1989 Paul took on the President’s role, which he still holds today. Under his leadership the Association became actively involved with the New Zealand Indian Central Association (NZICA).
The MHBIA title was retired and replaced by the name Central Districts Indian Association in 1999. The new title reflected better with the geographical coverage of the Association and the range of activities undertaken. Today the members of CDIA are largely based in Palmerston North and the outlying towns of Feilding, Marton, Dannevirke and Wanganui. The Association has a membership base of over 65 families and a number of single members, which is increasing steadily. Many annual religious events are catered for including the celebration of Janmashtami, Navratri and the ever-popular Diwali. Another function of CDIA has been to raise public awareness of Indian culture through the annual Palmerston North City Council Festival of Cultures. This popular event, in which CDIA has taken part since 1995, allows ethnic groups to showcase traditional food, song and dance.
Central Districts Indian Sports Club represents Indians living in the Central North Island as well, particularly the Manawatu, Hawkes Bay and Taranaki regions. Although formed in 1982, its heritage extends back to the 1940s with the club ‘Manawatu Indians’ and in the mid 1960s to early 1970s with the ‘Wanganui’ club where both were involved in cricket and hockey. The early 1970s saw a decline in membership with Indian families leaving the region which resulted in combined teams competing under the name ‘Manawatu-Wanganui Combined’. From this, Paul Patel suggested Indian communities in the Wanganui and the Manawatu regions form an official Indian Sports Club. The newly formed club took part in hockey, cricket, soccer, netball and darts matches.
CDISC is a member of the New Zealand Indian Sports Association (NZISA) and partakes in the annual NZISA Queen’s Birthday Tournament which consists of hockey, netball and soccer. This tournament is attended by all 8 regional Indian Sports Club who are also affiliated to NZISA.
CD’s main sporting code has been hockey, where they have entered teams in QBT since the Clubs formation. CD was competitive to start with but did not win many matches. In 2000, CD won two games at QBT, their first victories for five years. This point was the beginning of an upsurge in their fortunes and by this time a new generation of players was emerging. In 2003, CD’s persistence was rewarded when they won the QBT Men’s B-Section in Hamilton. 2008 saw CDISC’s proudest moment when they won the coveted NZISA Dhyan Chand Trophy for the first time in the Clubs history.
CDISC also hold an annual Dannevirke Sports Day where CD plays a local Dannevirke team for the Chhiba Pancha Patel Memorial Trophy. The event recognises Chhiba Pancha Patel, one of the pioneers of the Indian community who arrived in New Zealand in 1917 and established one of the first businesses in Dannevirke.
One important factor in the success of CDISC is the presence of Indian students studying at Massey University, many of whom have continued to play for, and maintain ties to, CDISC after leaving the region
Today CDISC is led by current President Sandeep Patel, with a mix of long serving members and an increasing number of youth on the Committee. CD are looking forward to the upcoming 2011 NZISA QBT which is to be held in Auckland on 4th – 6th June where CD will again be entering a Men’s hockey team to hopefully win QBT once again. CDISC are also looking forward to 2012 as the Club will be celebrating 30 years along with hosting, for the first time, the biennial Golden Oldies Indian Hockey Tournament in Palmerston North.