ISSUE
Friday, January 24, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 43
The Auckland Indian Association hosted a dinner for the leaders of all the Auckland-based diaspora organisations on the evening of Independence Day.
High Commissioner of India, HE Muktesh Pardeshi was the Chief Guest and Honorary Consul of India Shri Bhav Dhillon and Mrs Dhillon were guests of honour. Presidents and Secretaries of each of the diasporic organisations in Auckland as well as other places in New Zealand attended the dinner.
Auckland Indian Association is celebrating its centenary year. President Dhansukh Lal welcomed the guests and outlined a brief history of New Zealand’s oldest and largest Indian organisation. Past President Narendra Bhana detailed the events that will be hosted over the coming months to celebrate the centenary.
High Commissioner Mr Pardeshi congratulated the Association on its milestone anniversary and expressed appreciation for the work it had been doing for the Indian community for more than a century.
Honorary Mr Dhillon commended the vision of the founding fathers for laying the foundations for an organisation that is all the more relevant to the community even a century later. He encouraged the leaders to continue with the same enthusiasm to user in a meaningful next 100 years.
An exhibition, ‘Asha ka Darwaza’ will be held at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre between 2 October (Gandhi Jayanti) and 7 November, showcasing the history of the Association in pictures and informative panels.
A gala dinner attended by the New Zealand Prime Minister will be held on 27 November.
On 4 December, a grand musical show featuring Auckland’s talented singers and musicians will be hosted at the Victory Convention Centre in Auckland. Specially scripted to showcase the 100 years of the Association along with Hindi film music’s 100 years, the show is titled ‘The Musical Century: Gaane Jinke Hum Hain Deewane’.
CIPA (Centre for Indian Performing Arts), a new joint community initiative to foster and promote Indian performing arts between two charity organisations – Auckland Indian Association and the Mohan Nadkarni Foundation – was launched at the hands of High Commissioner Mr Pardeshi. Mohan Nadkarni Foundation Secretary Dev Nadkarni introduced CIPA with a presentation of the activities it will facilitate.
The new Centre will provide spaces for learning, practicing and showcasing Indian performing arts to audiences and will grow into a resource centre for artistes and creators.
Both Mr Pardeshi and Mr Dhillon appreciated the move for this first of its kind initiative in New Zealand and Mr Pardeshi announced a grant of $10,000 for CIPA at the occasion.
The Auckland Indian Association also felicitated six artistes who had performed for the Association during events and occasions over the years with appreciation certificates that were presented by High Commissioner Mr Pardeshi and Honorary Consul Mr Dhillon.