A united Indian front will mark Sunday’s India Republic Day celebrations in Auckland.
At the ASB Theatre in Aotea Centre, 10 Indian community organisations come together to celebrate the 60th anniversary with thousands of well wishers.
Celebrations will start with flag hoisting ceremony by the Indian High Commissioner, Sureesh Mehta, at 10am followed by National Anthem, Dhwaj Geet. MP Kanwaljeet Singh Bakshi and Dr Rajen Prasad, the first New Zealand MPs of Indian origin, will also be speaking.
Cultural programme will start at 10.30am. Formal programme with speeches will start at 11.15am.
Prime Minister John Key with some ministers and MPs will also be attending the programme. It will be a good opportunity to listen to the Prime Minister and the new Indian High Commissioner.
This programme is being celebrated by United Indianz. United Indianz is a forum made by: Auckland Indian Association, Auckland Sikh Society, Bharatiya Mandir Balmoral, Dashmesh Darbar, Gopio International, Guru Ravidas Gurudawara, ISSO Swaminarayan Hindu Temple, Manukau Indian Association, New Zealand Indian Central Association, and Shanti Niwas Charitable Trust
Media partners: Indian Weekender, Radio Tarana.
Meanwhile, in Manukau, the Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust, with participation, support and goodwill of many Indian cultural organisations, celebrates the day with a grand programme at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre.
Flag hoisting at 12 noon, followed by cultural programme from 1pm onwards.
Free entry, all welcome.