New President of NZICA elected during 90th annual conference
New Zealand Indian Central Association (NZICA) held its 90th annual general conference on Saturday, April 23, at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre, Auckland. The conference was hosted by Auckland Indian Association Inc. (AIAI) and was attended by 120 delegates from across New Zealand.
Special guests included List MP and Parliamentary Private Secretary for Ethnic Communities Melissa Lee, Board of Director of National Party Mr Alastair Bell, MP Phil Goff, List MPs Mr Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi and Dr Parmjeet Parmar. Other dignitaries included Judge Dr Ajit Swaran Singh, Dr Satendra Singh, Anthony Wenceslaus and Jeet Suchdev.
The conference commenced with a puja and lighting of the diya. A traditional welcome dance was performed by Danisha Lal, followed by a garba dance by the mahila samaj (ladies auxiliary) of AIAI.
Melissa Lee awarded merit certificates to Sharda Patel of Wellington and Nanette Nathoo of Auckland for attending more than 15 annual conferences. Mr Bakshi gave away NZICA Community Service Awards to Mohan Ganda of Auckland, Paul Patel of Central Districts, Susie Ranchhod of BOP Rotorua and Hansa Naran of Manukau. The conference also honoured and acknowledged the valued services of its life members by presenting a recognition award. Mr Goff presented these trophies.
The conference was a day full of deliberations and concluded with the election of office bearers for the year 2016–2017. Mr Bhikhu Bhana of Pukekohe Indian Association was elected as President, Mr Paul Patel of Central Districts Indian Association was elected as Vice President, Mr Prakash Biradar of Auckland Indian Association was elected as General Secretary, Mrs Manisha Morar of Wellington Indian Association was elected as Assistant Secretary and Mrs Hansa Naran of Manukau Indian Association was elected as Treasurer. The outgoing President Mr Harshad Patel will continue on the executive team.
The new vibrant team is determined to develop a long-term strategic plan to strengthen its branches and affiliate associations in order to empower the sizeable population of Kiwi-Indians. With the Indian population close to 160,000 according to the latest census, NZICA is developing strategies to enhance the wider representation of them. NZICA’s immediate task list includes:
• Representing the voice of Indian community in New Zealand
• Increase dialogue with the New Zealand government to resolve issues such as security, law and order
• Continue with development of their youth programmes
• Provide more representation of women from local to national executive level
• Modernise intra-community information network and strengthen the links between minor Indian ethnic groups
• Continue the good relations with the Indian High Commission and discuss with His Excellency to look into the problems faced by Kiwi-Indians
• Provide image-building measures for New Zealand in India and vice versa
NZICA was established in 1926 by three Indian associations—Auckland, Wellington and Country Section—to advance the cause of all Indians, be it educational, health, welfare or cultural identity.
Today, it is well established and has a track record of 90 years’ history in dealing with the issues concerning members of the association and Kiwi-Indians.
New Zealand Indian Central Association (NZICA) held its 90th annual general conference on Saturday, April 23, at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre, Auckland. The conference was hosted by Auckland Indian Association Inc. (AIAI) and was attended by 120 delegates from across New Zealand.
Special guests...
New Zealand Indian Central Association (NZICA) held its 90th annual general conference on Saturday, April 23, at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre, Auckland. The conference was hosted by Auckland Indian Association Inc. (AIAI) and was attended by 120 delegates from across New Zealand.
Special guests included List MP and Parliamentary Private Secretary for Ethnic Communities Melissa Lee, Board of Director of National Party Mr Alastair Bell, MP Phil Goff, List MPs Mr Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi and Dr Parmjeet Parmar. Other dignitaries included Judge Dr Ajit Swaran Singh, Dr Satendra Singh, Anthony Wenceslaus and Jeet Suchdev.
The conference commenced with a puja and lighting of the diya. A traditional welcome dance was performed by Danisha Lal, followed by a garba dance by the mahila samaj (ladies auxiliary) of AIAI.
Melissa Lee awarded merit certificates to Sharda Patel of Wellington and Nanette Nathoo of Auckland for attending more than 15 annual conferences. Mr Bakshi gave away NZICA Community Service Awards to Mohan Ganda of Auckland, Paul Patel of Central Districts, Susie Ranchhod of BOP Rotorua and Hansa Naran of Manukau. The conference also honoured and acknowledged the valued services of its life members by presenting a recognition award. Mr Goff presented these trophies.
The conference was a day full of deliberations and concluded with the election of office bearers for the year 2016–2017. Mr Bhikhu Bhana of Pukekohe Indian Association was elected as President, Mr Paul Patel of Central Districts Indian Association was elected as Vice President, Mr Prakash Biradar of Auckland Indian Association was elected as General Secretary, Mrs Manisha Morar of Wellington Indian Association was elected as Assistant Secretary and Mrs Hansa Naran of Manukau Indian Association was elected as Treasurer. The outgoing President Mr Harshad Patel will continue on the executive team.
The new vibrant team is determined to develop a long-term strategic plan to strengthen its branches and affiliate associations in order to empower the sizeable population of Kiwi-Indians. With the Indian population close to 160,000 according to the latest census, NZICA is developing strategies to enhance the wider representation of them. NZICA’s immediate task list includes:
• Representing the voice of Indian community in New Zealand
• Increase dialogue with the New Zealand government to resolve issues such as security, law and order
• Continue with development of their youth programmes
• Provide more representation of women from local to national executive level
• Modernise intra-community information network and strengthen the links between minor Indian ethnic groups
• Continue the good relations with the Indian High Commission and discuss with His Excellency to look into the problems faced by Kiwi-Indians
• Provide image-building measures for New Zealand in India and vice versa
NZICA was established in 1926 by three Indian associations—Auckland, Wellington and Country Section—to advance the cause of all Indians, be it educational, health, welfare or cultural identity.
Today, it is well established and has a track record of 90 years’ history in dealing with the issues concerning members of the association and Kiwi-Indians.
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