Continuing the outreach to the Indian community in Auckland, the High Commissioner of India, Sanjiv Kohli visited Balmoral Temple, Sandringham and Nanaksar Gurudwara in Manurewa, on Sunday, March 3.
He was accompanied by Hon. Consul of India, Bhav Dhillon, and Head of Chancellery, High Commission of India, Sandeep Sood.
The visit was part of the High Commissioner’s extended outreach to the Indian community in Auckland – New Zealand’s largest city where about 80 per cent of the total Indian community lives.
In a true reflection of the diverse, and yet very cohesive Indian community in New Zealand, the High Commissioner was very warmly received by the members of the public at both the places of worships.
Earlier, probably in a first, the High Commissioner had held a meeting with the members of Indian media and community leaders at the newly opened Auckland Consulate office on Saturday, March 3.
The second day of the visit was exclusively reserved for outreach to the general public and members of the community, particularly at the temple and the Gurudwara, where a large number of people turn up every weekend.
Visit to Balmoral temple
Towards this goal, Mr Kohli started his day whit a visit to Balmoral temple, Sandringham early morning, where he participated in Pooja and Arti.
Mr Kohli also met with children participating in Hindi classes run at the temple, along with several members of the public and the management committee of the temple.
Speaking to the Indian weekender on occasion, Mr Kohli said, “It’s always a great experience to come back to the city which has the largest share of the Indian diaspora in NZ.
“We had a very useful meeting with the Indian media and the community leaders yesterday.
“We are laying out the agenda for what we want to do this year for the community.
“We had accomplished quite a few things in the last two years. I think there are still few areas where we can achieve more by working together.
“Today being the second day, we also need divine blessings to take the agenda forward, so I have come here to the temple and will also go to Gurudwara later.
“There is no better place to get your inner peace and calm than a place like this.
The management committee of the temple, led by Roshan Nahuriya, Dinesh Pahuja, Jyoti Parashar, Shree, Pandit Ji took the High Commissioner to a tour of the temple premises and informed about the various initiatives being taken by the temple for the education and promotion of the Indian culture.
Visit to Nanaksar Gurudwara
The visit to Nanaksar Gurudwara began with participation in Langar – the community kitchen - before a small official reception upstairs by the management team.
Mr Kohli was also presented with the traditional Shiropa by the management team of the Gurudwara.
Mr Sood and Mr Dhillon also received Shiropa on occasion.
However, it seemed that the community relished Mr Kohli’s participation in Langar, which gave many people a free-wheeling opportunity to interact with the High Commissioner.
Later Mr Kohli also briefly addressed members of the public present on occasion and spoke highly about the Sikh community and the value that the government and the people of India see in their tremendous contribution to the growth and progress of the country.
Soon after Gurudwara visit, Mr Kohli and Mr Sood left for Wellington.
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