Sumitra Mahajan commends the work of Kiwi-Indians
Indian Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, during her visit to New Zealand, praised the efforts made by the strong Kiwi-Indian community.
Mahajan, who led a team of 17 members from different parties, including five MPs, was in New Zealand on an invitation from the Speaker of New Zealand Parliament Rt Hon David Carter.
“I identify you as Indians and then as Kiwi-Indians as you live and represent the Indian fraternity in New Zealand,” said Mahajan.
The 170,000 Indians living in New Zealand contribute five per cent to the New Zealand economy.
“Together we have to prosper, we will have to share our resources and help each other grow, both economically and culturally,” she added.
NZ First MP and Co-Chair of New Zealand Parliamentary Friendship Group for India, Mahesh Bindra hosted a dinner at Langham on Sunday, September 19, to welcome Mahajan and the Indian delegation. Prominent leaders from Indian community organisation were present at the dinner.
Talking about Mahajan’s visit to New Zealand, which came a few months after the Indian President’s maiden visit earlier this year, Indian High Commissioner Sanjiv Kohli said, “We have done relatively well so far with two most important people of India coming to New Zealand, President Pranab Mukherjee and Speaker of Parliament Sumitra Mahajan.”
NZ First Leader Winston Peters, who was also present at the event, said that he was delighted to meet Mahajan.
“People of Indian-origin have made, and continue to make, an important contribution to the business, cultural and sporting life of New Zealand,” Peters said.
A Kafi fusion instrumental presentation by Sargam Fusion band received a thunder of applause at the event. Attendees were also enthralled by Kiwi performer Tiara George on sitar, Basant Madhur on tabla and Ashish Ramakrishnan on vocals.
During her visit, Mahajan also met Carter and New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister Bill English. She also witnessed the parliamentary discussion in the parliament’s debating chamber on Tuesday, September 20.
The Indian delegation visited Bindra’s office in Wellington and was also hosted to a dinner by Carter on Tuesday night. Five MPs from the delegation visited Carterton Farm in Wairarapa as part of their itinerary.
MP Bindra said that Mahajan was impressed by the Kiwi hospitality and appreciated the methods and process of the parliament.
About Sumitra Mahajan
- Mahajan is the second woman speaker of the parliament after Mira Kumar
- She belongs to Bharatiya Janata Party. She won the Lok Sabha elections for the eighth time in 2014 and has chaired the position in the parliament since.
- She is currently the longest and senior most serving woman member of the parliament
- She has a Masters in Arts degree and was an advocate before joining politics
- She has served as a Union Minister from 2002 to 2004, courting the portfolios in Human Resource, Communications, and Petroleum
NZICA and AIA hosts Lok Sabha delegation
The oldest Indian community organisation of New Zealand hosted the parliamentary delegation on Sunday morning at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Mt Eden.
New Zealand Indian Central Association (NZICA), in association with Auckland Indian Association (AIA) and other sub-organisations welcomed the delegation with a string of cultural performances at the venue.
The event was graced by Kiwi-Indian parliamentarians and heads of different business and community organisations.
“I am so proud to be here and know how NZICA has held the Indian flag high in New Zealand. You contribute not just to the economy but also make this country more culturally diverse and dynamic,” Mahajan said.
Around 300 community members were present at the event. Mahajan was presented with the Early Indian Settlers book by NZICA President Bhikhu Bhana and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre Silver Jubilee book by AIA President Parshottam Govind.
The event saw cultural performances from NZ Kannada, Punjabi, Marathi and Auckland Indian Association members.
Indian Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, during her visit to New Zealand, praised the efforts made by the strong Kiwi-Indian community.
Mahajan, who led a team of 17 members from different parties, including five MPs, was in New Zealand on an invitation from the Speaker of New Zealand Parliament...
Indian Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, during her visit to New Zealand, praised the efforts made by the strong Kiwi-Indian community.
Mahajan, who led a team of 17 members from different parties, including five MPs, was in New Zealand on an invitation from the Speaker of New Zealand Parliament Rt Hon David Carter.
“I identify you as Indians and then as Kiwi-Indians as you live and represent the Indian fraternity in New Zealand,” said Mahajan.
The 170,000 Indians living in New Zealand contribute five per cent to the New Zealand economy.
“Together we have to prosper, we will have to share our resources and help each other grow, both economically and culturally,” she added.
NZ First MP and Co-Chair of New Zealand Parliamentary Friendship Group for India, Mahesh Bindra hosted a dinner at Langham on Sunday, September 19, to welcome Mahajan and the Indian delegation. Prominent leaders from Indian community organisation were present at the dinner.
Talking about Mahajan’s visit to New Zealand, which came a few months after the Indian President’s maiden visit earlier this year, Indian High Commissioner Sanjiv Kohli said, “We have done relatively well so far with two most important people of India coming to New Zealand, President Pranab Mukherjee and Speaker of Parliament Sumitra Mahajan.”
NZ First Leader Winston Peters, who was also present at the event, said that he was delighted to meet Mahajan.
“People of Indian-origin have made, and continue to make, an important contribution to the business, cultural and sporting life of New Zealand,” Peters said.
A Kafi fusion instrumental presentation by Sargam Fusion band received a thunder of applause at the event. Attendees were also enthralled by Kiwi performer Tiara George on sitar, Basant Madhur on tabla and Ashish Ramakrishnan on vocals.
During her visit, Mahajan also met Carter and New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister Bill English. She also witnessed the parliamentary discussion in the parliament’s debating chamber on Tuesday, September 20.
The Indian delegation visited Bindra’s office in Wellington and was also hosted to a dinner by Carter on Tuesday night. Five MPs from the delegation visited Carterton Farm in Wairarapa as part of their itinerary.
MP Bindra said that Mahajan was impressed by the Kiwi hospitality and appreciated the methods and process of the parliament.
About Sumitra Mahajan
- Mahajan is the second woman speaker of the parliament after Mira Kumar
- She belongs to Bharatiya Janata Party. She won the Lok Sabha elections for the eighth time in 2014 and has chaired the position in the parliament since.
- She is currently the longest and senior most serving woman member of the parliament
- She has a Masters in Arts degree and was an advocate before joining politics
- She has served as a Union Minister from 2002 to 2004, courting the portfolios in Human Resource, Communications, and Petroleum
NZICA and AIA hosts Lok Sabha delegation
The oldest Indian community organisation of New Zealand hosted the parliamentary delegation on Sunday morning at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Mt Eden.
New Zealand Indian Central Association (NZICA), in association with Auckland Indian Association (AIA) and other sub-organisations welcomed the delegation with a string of cultural performances at the venue.
The event was graced by Kiwi-Indian parliamentarians and heads of different business and community organisations.
“I am so proud to be here and know how NZICA has held the Indian flag high in New Zealand. You contribute not just to the economy but also make this country more culturally diverse and dynamic,” Mahajan said.
Around 300 community members were present at the event. Mahajan was presented with the Early Indian Settlers book by NZICA President Bhikhu Bhana and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre Silver Jubilee book by AIA President Parshottam Govind.
The event saw cultural performances from NZ Kannada, Punjabi, Marathi and Auckland Indian Association members.
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