The New Zealand Indian Central Association (NZICA) hosted the highly anticipated photographic exhibition for the diaspora representing the footprints of Indians in New Zealand.
On the occasion of its 90th Anniversary, NZICA showcased the exhibition titled ‘Mokaa’, (Opportunity), a rare and compelling collection of about 100 pictures dating back to the early 1900s. The exhibition was held on Saturday, July 1 at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre and was inaugurated by Minister of Ethnic Communities Judith Collins.
The High Commissioner of India in New Zealand Sanjiv Kohli, National List MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar, and Labour Party candidate for Maungakiekie Priyanca Radhakrishnan were also present at the opening ceremony along with many other prominent members of the community.
The opening ceremony was marked by a traditional Powihiri and followed by lighting of lamps as a mark of obeisance to Lord Ganesha.
The exhibition narrated the story of the first Indian presence 125 years ago -- from pioneering settlers to established communities in New Zealand. The Indian community now has grown to more than 220,000 members residing in different parts of the country.
The exhibition that had a number of community members and leaders involved for a long time in arranging the preserved pictures from different places coincided with the 90th anniversary of the NZICA, the apex body of all other Indian community organisations.
“The aim of the exhibition was to depict the journey of the Indian community in New Zealand who have travelled from different states of India. The purpose of this exhibition was also to give the community a sense of belonging to their nation, India, no matter how early or late they settled in New Zealand,” President of NZICA Bhikhu Bhana told The Indian Weekender.
This exhibition is set to tour across New Zealand stopping for a few weeks in every location kicking off on Saturday, August 12 from the Papakura Museum in Papakura. Art galleries in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Papakura, Rotorua, Dunedin, Hamilton, are confirmed, and few other locations are still being finalised.
The opening of the exhibition was celebrated with a dinner at MG Centre commemorating the 90th Anniversary of NZICA, and was attended by community leaders, MPs and other members of the Indian community.