India’s father of the nation and an apostle of peace and non-violence - Mahatma Gandhi - was revered and remembered by one and all, at the historic march for global peace in Auckland on Sunday, September 30.
More than a thousand enthusiastic members of the public along with another hundred children dressed in symbolic white dress gathered together on a bright sunny Sunday morning on Queen Street, at Auckland Central Business District to participate in a march for global peace.
The peace march was an initiative of the High Commission of India and the Consulate of India to mark the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi (October 2).
The United Nations has declared October 2, as International Day of Non-Violence.
Minister for Ethnic Communities, Jenny Salesa, joined the marchers, who were loosely organized in small groups of acquaintances and friends, and singing songs, raising slogans to express their excitement, from the start at the BNZ Bank and end at the Aotea Square, where it was received by Mayor of Auckland, Phil Goff.
Hon Consul of India, Bhav Dhillon, led the march along with Kiwi-Indian MPs, Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi and Dr Parmjeet Parmar of National Party, and representatives of more than thirty community organizations.
Addressing the peace marchers and a seemingly appreciate crowd of spectators, who had assembled at the Aotea Square, Mr Goff said, “It feels such a delight to see this massive crowd and the most important the children, who are the future of this country to come so well dressed and participating in this historic march.
Mr Goff also emphasized that the need for the principles of non-violence and peace as preached by Mahatma Gandhi is more relevant than ever in the today’s world.
“This shows the ideals and values of non-violence and peace of Mahatma Gandhi who has a global significance is alive amongst us,” Mr Goff added.
Echoing similar sentiments, Minister Jenny Salesa said, “Today we celebrate the life and work of Mahatma Gandhi who demonstrated to the world that Peace Works. We have learnt that humanity can achieve a lot through peace and non-violence.”
Meanwhile, Hon. Consul, Mr Dhillon, who had been working hard to make this initiative of High Commission of India a success, expressed satisfaction on the huge turn-out for a bright sunny Sunday morning.
Speaking to The Indian Weekender, Mr Dhillon said “We did not have to do much, as soon as the word for March for Global Peace spread amongst the people on news and social media- all the Indian community organizations, religious centres, and general public came forward with their interest to participate in this historic event.”
“The appeal of Mahatma Gandhi and his influence on people led this crowd of over 1000 people including children to come out on a Sunday morning and participate in this historic event,” Mr Dhillon added.
Among others who also addressed the rally were Kiwi-Indian MPs Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi and Dr Parmjeet Parmar, and Jeet Suchdev from Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust.
Community organisations such as New Zealand Indian Central Association, Auckland Indian Association Inc, Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust, Shanti Niwas Charitable Trust, Gandhi Nivas, Gujarati Samaj, Auckland Tamil Association, NZ Telugu Association, Telangana Association of New Zealand, Auckland Malayali Samajam,Telangana Jagruthi NZ, GOPIO New Zealand, New Zealand Indian Senior Citizens Association Inc., members of Puketapapa Local Board, Datta Yoga Centre, Bharatiya Mandir Indian Temple, Radha Krishna Temple, and children from Mahatma Gandhi Centre Hindi School in Auckland participated in the event besides the general public.
Many spectators were bemused not only with the turnout for the peace march but also the swift manner in which they appeared at the starting point of the rally on Queen street just five minutes before the scheduled starting time.
Amandeep Khurana, who has come all the way from Pukekohe told The Indian Weekender, “I had reached at the starting point of the rally at 9 a.m., only to find that there were mere four people from an Indian community organisation standing on the street corner with their placards.”
“I was thinking that the fine weather on a Sunday morning might have detested many from coming all the way to CBD to participate in the peace march,” Mr Khurana said.
“However, to my surprise [and welcome relief], in the next 30 minutes, approximately 800 people had appeared with their placards, posters, banners dressed in white kurta and ethnic Indian dresses chanting Vande Mataram,” Mr Khurana told The Indian Weekender.
Remembering Gandhi, lest we forget
Another enthusiastic participant, Ram Kumar Satija, a Mt Roskill resident, who had emigrated to New Zealand about three decades ago from the Indian state of Gujarat, told The Indian Weekender, “It’s really encouraging to see we are remembering Gandhi and his principles of truth and non-violence even today here in Auckland.”
“It is important more than ever to tell not only our children and younger generation but also others so as people don’t forget that a modest and humble man called Gandhi ever lived in this world who had galvanised millions of people in adopting principles of truth and non-violence and successfully defeated the mightiest imperialistic power of the day.”
“I personally thank the Hon. Consul and the High Commissioner for taking such an initiative,” a visibly emotional Mr Satija told The Indian Weekender.
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