The Kiwi round-up
The year 2015 has been eventful. As we approach the end of the year, looking back, lots of memories, stories, news and facts come to mind. Let us start with some stories that made us, the Indian community, stand taller.
Harman Singh
The 22-year-old Sikh made headlines all over the world with his selfless and heart-warming gesture when he broke religious protocol by removing his turban to help a 6-year-old boy hit by a car outside his Takanini house in May this year. While for him it was just a simple, natural thing to do, his heroic act was lauded for putting a young life before religious customs. Indian Weekender carried an interview with Harman in the “Heroes Amongst Us” section, where he shared his feelings during the incident. “The boy was in a lot of pain. I sat beside him. I was so scared, I couldn’t think of anything else. I just thought of the Dastaar(turban) that I was wearing. I just removed it hastily and put it under his head from where he was bleeding. I just made sure that his head doesn’t touch the ground.”, he told Indian Weekender. He was presented with a Police award and praised for his “outstanding compassion and empathy”. People like Harman make our community proud and this world a better place.
Tashi and Nungshi Malik
Another such story that has been an inspiration, is that of India’s famous ‘Everest twins’ Nungshi and Tashi Malik, who have been in Invercargill to study at the Southern Institute of Technology(SIT) after they got awarded a NZ India Sports Scholarship. The 24-year-old sisters who originally hail from Haryana have the distinction of being the first Indians to climb the tallest mountains on every continent. They have also been featured in Gunness Book of World Records in its 60th Anniversary edition. They have been lauded for being the world’s first siblings and first twins to scale the famed Seven Summits. The brave twin sisters hoisted the tricolour Indian flag on the North Pole in April this year. Indian Weekender was privileged to host the sisters during its prestigious Hall of Fame event in May this year.
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi
Though there are many such stories of members from this vibrant community, I would like to share the story of our very own Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi. Delhi-born Bakshi who is NZ’s first Indian and first Sikh member of New Zealand Parliament, is a recognised face in the community. In January this year, Bakshi was honoured with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award in India. The award which recognises outstanding contributions by recipients in their chosen field was awarded to Mr Bakshi by Indian Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari. Mr Bakshi who is known to be a humble and active member of Kiwi-Indian community was also the first inductee to the Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame
Lest we forget
Another event that marked this year was the commemoration of the centenary of the ANZAC military campaign on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey. Like every year, this year too on Anzac Day, New Zealanders paid tributes to thousands of young men who stormed the beaches on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 25th April 1915. For eight long and arduous months, New Zealand troops alongside those from Australia, Great Britain and Ireland, France, India and Newfoundland battled adverse conditions and Ottoman forces to protect their homeland. By the time the campaign ended, more than 130,000 men had died. Among the dead were 2779 New Zealanders. Indian Weekender carried a story aimed to acknowledge the forgotten Indian soldiers who fought during the same war. According to Pradeep Kanthan, an author and independent researcher, of the Indians who served in Anzac, 1926 died in the war. While it is sad that the Indian contribution in the campaign is often forgotten, we will always be proud of this shared piece of history.
Flag referendum
The year was also abuzz with debates about whether the kiwi national flag should be changed. There have been various arguments advocating the change of flag some of these include NZ flag being too similar to the Australian flag, it not representing the independent, sovereign status of New Zealand and not representing New Zealand’s Maori heritage. While the arguments against the change have been primarily the emotional attachment that Kiwis have with the current flag and the financial cost of the whole exercise of changing the flag. Whichever side of the fence you might sit, NZ government has already scheduled a two-staged binding referendum with the first referendum already taken place. The process which has strong backing of Prime Minister John Key started with a Flag Consideration Panel that engaged with public asking their suggestions, feedback and flag designs.
Pathway Student Visa
Another news that made it to headlines was the announcement of a new student visa called The Pathway Student Visa that will allow international students to undertake a pathway of up to three consecutive study programmes. The visa will be valid for a maximum of five years. While announcing the visa, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce said, “…Pathway Student Visas will help retain more international students and make New Zealand more competitive with countries such as Australia which already offer pathway programmes.”. This is a big change that will encourage more international students to come in with a commitment to studying as opposed to getting entry in the country. While some have criticised the new visa siting lack of jobs and already over population of student community, most of the community has welcomed the change.
The Story of Rama
On a cultural note, Auckland art lovers got a treat from the Auckland Art Gallery when it announced the opening of its exhibition called “The Story of Rama: Indian Miniatures from the National Museum, New Delhi”. 101 paintings have travelled from Delhi to Auckland which tell the story of the Indian epic. These exquisite paintings based on Ram Katha come from north, central and east India. Some of the breath-taking work include the portrait of Ram, Ram breaking Shiva’s bow in the court of King Janaka, wedding of Ram and Sita and portrait of Hanuman done in various Pahari, Rajasthani and Mughal style. If you have not been to the exhibition yet, you still have time. It is on till January 17, 2016.
ATEED Diwali Festival
Taking the cultural round up further, I have to mention ATEED Diwali celebration. Though the event is an annual Auckland feature, the grandeur and excitement seems to be growing every year. This year too, despite some initial opposition from self-proclaimed community leaders, the festival saw unprecedented participation from not just Kiwi-Indian community but from every community which thronged Aotea Square on October 17 and 18. Like last year, Indian Weekender was proud to be a major partner for the event this year too.
India Trade Alliance
Another news that made Kiwi-Indian business community happy was the formation of India Trade Alliance (ITA). The alliance was launched this year with a mission to promote closer economic ties between New Zealand and India. ITA executive committee consists of heavyweights with proven experience and vision. Community has a firm belief that ITA will bridge the gap in the Indo - Kiwi trade relations and provide a win-win platform to members in both the countries.
The year 2015 has been eventful. As we approach the end of the year, looking back, lots of memories, stories, news and facts come to mind. Let us start with some stories that made us, the Indian community, stand taller.
Harman Singh
The 22-year-old Sikh made headlines all over the world with...
The year 2015 has been eventful. As we approach the end of the year, looking back, lots of memories, stories, news and facts come to mind. Let us start with some stories that made us, the Indian community, stand taller.
Harman Singh
The 22-year-old Sikh made headlines all over the world with his selfless and heart-warming gesture when he broke religious protocol by removing his turban to help a 6-year-old boy hit by a car outside his Takanini house in May this year. While for him it was just a simple, natural thing to do, his heroic act was lauded for putting a young life before religious customs. Indian Weekender carried an interview with Harman in the “Heroes Amongst Us” section, where he shared his feelings during the incident. “The boy was in a lot of pain. I sat beside him. I was so scared, I couldn’t think of anything else. I just thought of the Dastaar(turban) that I was wearing. I just removed it hastily and put it under his head from where he was bleeding. I just made sure that his head doesn’t touch the ground.”, he told Indian Weekender. He was presented with a Police award and praised for his “outstanding compassion and empathy”. People like Harman make our community proud and this world a better place.
Tashi and Nungshi Malik
Another such story that has been an inspiration, is that of India’s famous ‘Everest twins’ Nungshi and Tashi Malik, who have been in Invercargill to study at the Southern Institute of Technology(SIT) after they got awarded a NZ India Sports Scholarship. The 24-year-old sisters who originally hail from Haryana have the distinction of being the first Indians to climb the tallest mountains on every continent. They have also been featured in Gunness Book of World Records in its 60th Anniversary edition. They have been lauded for being the world’s first siblings and first twins to scale the famed Seven Summits. The brave twin sisters hoisted the tricolour Indian flag on the North Pole in April this year. Indian Weekender was privileged to host the sisters during its prestigious Hall of Fame event in May this year.
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi
Though there are many such stories of members from this vibrant community, I would like to share the story of our very own Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi. Delhi-born Bakshi who is NZ’s first Indian and first Sikh member of New Zealand Parliament, is a recognised face in the community. In January this year, Bakshi was honoured with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award in India. The award which recognises outstanding contributions by recipients in their chosen field was awarded to Mr Bakshi by Indian Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari. Mr Bakshi who is known to be a humble and active member of Kiwi-Indian community was also the first inductee to the Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame
Lest we forget
Another event that marked this year was the commemoration of the centenary of the ANZAC military campaign on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey. Like every year, this year too on Anzac Day, New Zealanders paid tributes to thousands of young men who stormed the beaches on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 25th April 1915. For eight long and arduous months, New Zealand troops alongside those from Australia, Great Britain and Ireland, France, India and Newfoundland battled adverse conditions and Ottoman forces to protect their homeland. By the time the campaign ended, more than 130,000 men had died. Among the dead were 2779 New Zealanders. Indian Weekender carried a story aimed to acknowledge the forgotten Indian soldiers who fought during the same war. According to Pradeep Kanthan, an author and independent researcher, of the Indians who served in Anzac, 1926 died in the war. While it is sad that the Indian contribution in the campaign is often forgotten, we will always be proud of this shared piece of history.
Flag referendum
The year was also abuzz with debates about whether the kiwi national flag should be changed. There have been various arguments advocating the change of flag some of these include NZ flag being too similar to the Australian flag, it not representing the independent, sovereign status of New Zealand and not representing New Zealand’s Maori heritage. While the arguments against the change have been primarily the emotional attachment that Kiwis have with the current flag and the financial cost of the whole exercise of changing the flag. Whichever side of the fence you might sit, NZ government has already scheduled a two-staged binding referendum with the first referendum already taken place. The process which has strong backing of Prime Minister John Key started with a Flag Consideration Panel that engaged with public asking their suggestions, feedback and flag designs.
Pathway Student Visa
Another news that made it to headlines was the announcement of a new student visa called The Pathway Student Visa that will allow international students to undertake a pathway of up to three consecutive study programmes. The visa will be valid for a maximum of five years. While announcing the visa, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce said, “…Pathway Student Visas will help retain more international students and make New Zealand more competitive with countries such as Australia which already offer pathway programmes.”. This is a big change that will encourage more international students to come in with a commitment to studying as opposed to getting entry in the country. While some have criticised the new visa siting lack of jobs and already over population of student community, most of the community has welcomed the change.
The Story of Rama
On a cultural note, Auckland art lovers got a treat from the Auckland Art Gallery when it announced the opening of its exhibition called “The Story of Rama: Indian Miniatures from the National Museum, New Delhi”. 101 paintings have travelled from Delhi to Auckland which tell the story of the Indian epic. These exquisite paintings based on Ram Katha come from north, central and east India. Some of the breath-taking work include the portrait of Ram, Ram breaking Shiva’s bow in the court of King Janaka, wedding of Ram and Sita and portrait of Hanuman done in various Pahari, Rajasthani and Mughal style. If you have not been to the exhibition yet, you still have time. It is on till January 17, 2016.
ATEED Diwali Festival
Taking the cultural round up further, I have to mention ATEED Diwali celebration. Though the event is an annual Auckland feature, the grandeur and excitement seems to be growing every year. This year too, despite some initial opposition from self-proclaimed community leaders, the festival saw unprecedented participation from not just Kiwi-Indian community but from every community which thronged Aotea Square on October 17 and 18. Like last year, Indian Weekender was proud to be a major partner for the event this year too.
India Trade Alliance
Another news that made Kiwi-Indian business community happy was the formation of India Trade Alliance (ITA). The alliance was launched this year with a mission to promote closer economic ties between New Zealand and India. ITA executive committee consists of heavyweights with proven experience and vision. Community has a firm belief that ITA will bridge the gap in the Indo - Kiwi trade relations and provide a win-win platform to members in both the countries.
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