Hundreds thronged to Sai Temple in Onehunga on August 13 to celebrate India’s 70th Independence Day.
Organised by Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust chairman Jeet Suchdev and Roopa Aur Aap Chairwoman Roopa Suchdev, the celebrations reached a new patriotic high with more than 700 people turning up for the gala.
The cultural programme lined up for the day included performances from every age group and every state of India. India’s unity in diversity was clearly visible when individuals and groups from different subcultures of India, clad in their best outfits, climbed the stage and danced to either a Bollywood or a regional patriotic number.
The event attended by almost every prominent face of Auckland brought an extra charm to the festivity. The day commenced with hoisting the Indian tricolour followed by the national anthem. A frolic atmosphere enveloped the hall with hoots and dance.
Almost every individual in the hall joined the fete by dancing to the retro and bhangra songs that flagged an essence of nationalism amongst the visitors.
Present at the event were Auckland Mayor Len Brown, Labour Party Leader Andrew Little, Minister of Ethnic Communities Peseta Sam Lotu-liga, MPs Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Mahesh Bindra, Dr Parmjeet Parmar, Labour candidates Sunny Kaushal and Michael Wood, Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy, and community organisation leaders.
The crowd showered a thunder of applause at the performance by toddlers assisted by their mothers and burst into laughter and joy with the stirring dance performance by the senior citizen group.
Students from Auckland University and school going children gave one of the best performances for the day with bright freedom fighter costumes and flags and props on the other hand.