Unity the message in family day
March 30 2010
Dynamic young people from India, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Fiji, Sri Lanka and New Zealand came together to organise Family Fun event which was free for community (all youth and their families) to participate.
The youth were either at high school, tertiary institute or have recently graduated; they belong to at least three different faith groups.
Hindu Youth Foundation (HYF) and the New Zealand Hindu Students Forum (NZHSF) jointly celebrated Race Relations Day with fun, games and Holi (Hindu festival of colours) on Sunday, March 21, at the Hindu Heritage Centre in Mangere, Auckland.
Participants of all ages, nationalities and background enjoyed the day. Chief guest Andrew Pragnell, an advisor with the Human Rights Commission, shared some insight into what Race Relations Day is and spoke of its origin. Andrew has 15 years’ experience of working on race issues around the Asia Pacific region and he shared some personal insight into race relations with people present at the official opening.
Bevan Chuang, Settlement Support Co-ordinator for the Auckland Regional Migrant Services, shared her experience of being a 1.5 generation New Zealander.
Not first generation who migrated from Hong Kong nor born locally to be second generation, a situation that most young people identify themselves with in. She went on to commend on the use of the Hindu Heritage Centre premises for conducting church sessions as the perfect example of building race and faith relations.
Kicking of the day, Andrew, a keen sports enthusiast, played a game of soccer making sure he participated in the fun activities organized for the day, affirming his strong thoughts and support for the use of sports as a development tool for communities and individuals. Such was the organization that no one was turned away disappointed.
The sports day was a success with teams registering for soccer, netball, cricket and volleyball. In addition to this, carom board and table tennis continued to be occupied with participants waiting for their turns throughout the day. The kids were equally entertained with giant park games and bouncy castles while adults also joined in the fun to have their face painted.
Concluding the day with Holi, the day’s celebration was rounded up in the colours of Holi to celebrate unity and brotherhood with everyone sprinkling colour and water on everyone. It provided an opportunity to forget all differences and indulge in fun.
It is one occasion when sprinkling coloured powder or coloured water on each other breaks all barriers of discrimination so that everyone looks the same and universal brotherhood is reaffirmed. Everyone present on the day joined in the fun and celebration of the occasion to conclude the day on a high note.
Success of the HYF Race Relations Day Celebrations has been crowned to the organising committee of young volunteers who demonstrated sheer dedication and commitment to this event despite family commitments, studies, religious celebrations and even pre-planned vacations.
The team was a true mix of Aucklanders from North Shore, West Auckland, Central and South Auckland. While the team is taking a break to relax, event coordinator, Kedar Vakde commented that “this is only the beginning”.
Hindu Youth Foundation is committed to making Race Relations Day an annual event for their calendar.
HYF thanks all sporting teams for their participation and cheerful spirit of fun & games; all members of community who participated, all stall holders and generous donors from community, sport associations and gives special thanks to the Sangam Association and the Hindu Temple Society for supporting the young team and a very special thanks to the Hindu Council of New Zealand.
For enquiries, notifications or o be part of upcoming events, email the team @ hinduyouth.nz@gmail.com
Dynamic young people from India, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Fiji, Sri Lanka and New Zealand came together to organise Family Fun event which was free for community (all youth and their families) to participate.
The youth were either at high school, tertiary institute or have recently...
Dynamic young people from India, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Fiji, Sri Lanka and New Zealand came together to organise Family Fun event which was free for community (all youth and their families) to participate.
The youth were either at high school, tertiary institute or have recently graduated; they belong to at least three different faith groups.
Hindu Youth Foundation (HYF) and the New Zealand Hindu Students Forum (NZHSF) jointly celebrated Race Relations Day with fun, games and Holi (Hindu festival of colours) on Sunday, March 21, at the Hindu Heritage Centre in Mangere, Auckland.
Participants of all ages, nationalities and background enjoyed the day. Chief guest Andrew Pragnell, an advisor with the Human Rights Commission, shared some insight into what Race Relations Day is and spoke of its origin. Andrew has 15 years’ experience of working on race issues around the Asia Pacific region and he shared some personal insight into race relations with people present at the official opening.
Bevan Chuang, Settlement Support Co-ordinator for the Auckland Regional Migrant Services, shared her experience of being a 1.5 generation New Zealander.
Not first generation who migrated from Hong Kong nor born locally to be second generation, a situation that most young people identify themselves with in. She went on to commend on the use of the Hindu Heritage Centre premises for conducting church sessions as the perfect example of building race and faith relations.
Kicking of the day, Andrew, a keen sports enthusiast, played a game of soccer making sure he participated in the fun activities organized for the day, affirming his strong thoughts and support for the use of sports as a development tool for communities and individuals. Such was the organization that no one was turned away disappointed.
The sports day was a success with teams registering for soccer, netball, cricket and volleyball. In addition to this, carom board and table tennis continued to be occupied with participants waiting for their turns throughout the day. The kids were equally entertained with giant park games and bouncy castles while adults also joined in the fun to have their face painted.
Concluding the day with Holi, the day’s celebration was rounded up in the colours of Holi to celebrate unity and brotherhood with everyone sprinkling colour and water on everyone. It provided an opportunity to forget all differences and indulge in fun.
It is one occasion when sprinkling coloured powder or coloured water on each other breaks all barriers of discrimination so that everyone looks the same and universal brotherhood is reaffirmed. Everyone present on the day joined in the fun and celebration of the occasion to conclude the day on a high note.
Success of the HYF Race Relations Day Celebrations has been crowned to the organising committee of young volunteers who demonstrated sheer dedication and commitment to this event despite family commitments, studies, religious celebrations and even pre-planned vacations.
The team was a true mix of Aucklanders from North Shore, West Auckland, Central and South Auckland. While the team is taking a break to relax, event coordinator, Kedar Vakde commented that “this is only the beginning”.
Hindu Youth Foundation is committed to making Race Relations Day an annual event for their calendar.
HYF thanks all sporting teams for their participation and cheerful spirit of fun & games; all members of community who participated, all stall holders and generous donors from community, sport associations and gives special thanks to the Sangam Association and the Hindu Temple Society for supporting the young team and a very special thanks to the Hindu Council of New Zealand.
For enquiries, notifications or o be part of upcoming events, email the team @ hinduyouth.nz@gmail.com
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