A seemingly regular event of Gujarati Samaj in Auckland was turned into an impromptu consular camp last weekend, bringing relief and smiles on many faces of the members of community present on occasion.
The only exception was that it was not an official consular camp per se, where actual services were facilitated or delivered.
Instead, it was more of a consultation, and educating the members of the Indian diaspora, whereby many important and often confusing issues related to visa, passport, OCI, PAN Card and Aadhaar Card were discussed.
The occasion was Gujarati Samaj’s Republic Day celebrations held on Sunday, February 4, at New Lynn, Auckland, where Honorary Consul of India, Bhav Dhillon was present as the chief guest.
The event started with cultural programs involving dance performances from children on popular Bollywood numbers.
Speaking immediately after the cultural program, the Honorary Consul, Mr Dhillon recalled and extolled the rich history of the Gujarati community, right from pre-independence era to the current times when it constitutes as a dominant segment of the Indian diaspora around the world.
Mr Dhillon also used the opportunity to express sadness and anguish in the recent spate of drowning incidents in the wider Indian community and reminded everyone to remain water-safe when around New Zealand beaches.
However, when Mr Dhillon was about to finish the customary speech on occasion – an informal and friendly gathering of more than three hundred people – some of the members of the audience had other plans and started asking questions around the recent changes happening in India and the consequent expectations of getting Aadhaar card and PAN Card.
Walking the talk with the passionate community members, Mr Dhillon also chose to answer every question patiently and in the process clearing much air around these important consular issues.
The members of the organising committee Vijay Modi, Vinay Mehta, and Dilip Thakkar were delighted with the passionate involvement of the members of the Gujarati Samaj and expressed their “heartfelt gratitude” to the Hon. Consul for clarifying the queries in such an informal manner.
The Indian Weekender is presenting a brief overview of the conversation in an interview format for the benefit of others members of the community.
Question: Do we make Aadhaar cards here in Auckland Consulate office?
Mr Dhillon: Aadhaar Card is only for people who are residents of India; it's not linked to your passport. If you have a New Zealand passport and you have gone India and are living there as a resident, then only you will need the Aadhaar Card.
Banks need Aadhaar Card to verify if you have a resident bank account in India. If you are living overseas, you cannot have a resident bank account there. You need to convert your resident account to a non-resident account. You can send the conversion form by post from New Zealand, and we can attest the necessary documents. Once the account is changed from resident savings account to Non-resident account, the banks will not ask for Aadhaar Card.
Q: Can we make our Pan Card in Auckland Consulate Office?
Mr Dhillon: It’s a very frequent query that we get these days and there seems to be a lot of confusion on PAN Card and Aadhaar card.
PAN Card has no link with the Aadhaar Card. PAN Card is only needed in India if you have an income source from India via rental, pensions, etc. If you own any property whether a property that you have made, purchased or inherited. If you have an income source there or if you own a property there in India, you have to have a PAN Card, even Indians born in NZ and have property there or have been employed there will need a PAN Card.
Q: How can we cancel our Indian passport after getting NZ citizenship?
Mr Dhillon: You don’t need to come to our office for passport or visa services.
I would encourage everyone to regularly visit the website of High Commission of India, where all information is provided in a very detailed manner.
People with NZ passport, you don’t need to go anywhere, and you can apply an e-visa for travelling to India. Go to High Commission of India website and put all your details there and you can get the visa approved within 72 hours.
It’s a part of the digital India scheme.
I would also encourage all people of Indian origin to get your Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card made. Once you have made OCI card, you can travel to India anytime, not just for you but for your children who are born here as well.
Getting an OCI is also very easy, go to our website and fill the details and if you have any issues, do come to us, and we will assist you.
Q: What consular services are being delivered at Auckland Consulate office?
Mr Dhillon: I would say that all those services for which previously you had to travel to Wellington (High Commission of India), such as Life Certificate, power of attorney, etc., those services are now available in Auckland.
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