Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust in Auckland has come to be known as the organisation actively engaging in uniting the community and helping the wider migrant communities integrate through culture, recreational events, and food.
Started in 1995 as a small initiative by Jeet Suchdev and Roopa Suchdev to support individuals and families newly migrated to New Zealand, the trust has come a long way since then.
Over the past 25 years, Bhartiya Samaj (BSCT) has achieved numerous milestones and has become probably the most active organisation bringing hundreds of Indian families together and making a positive difference in the broader community by providing much-needed support, and compassion.
The organisation and its team members have played a vital role as a friend, philosopher and guide to a large number of people, along with providing a safe space for those in crisis.
The organisation continuously engages with government authorities and other community organisations also and actively works with the Indian High Commission and Consulate to encourage and appreciate Indian culture and heritage.
The organisation offers a wide range of services through its various wings, some of which are, Senior Citizens Wing, Children & Youth Wing, New Migrants Support Wing and Social Services Wing.
In the endeavour to serve even more community members, the organisation last year started a new chapter in Queenstown. Launched with a vision to help Queenstown's Kiwi-Indian community have a place where members can come together and find a respite from otherwise gruelling work schedule; be proud of their culture, heritage and meet new members of the community.
The Queenstown chapter is spearheaded by Mangal Behal, who said, "Bhartiya Samaj's Queenstown chapter was started with an aim to replicate the Auckland model and provide the Indian community in Queenstown and nearby regions a place to come together, celebrate festivals and foster the spirit of community.
"While the Indian community in Queenstown is not as big as in Auckland, it is a growing one and there definitely is the appetite to gather, network and celebrate. We want Bhartiya Samaj to be a safe and happy place where the community feels at home."
Mangal and his team in Queenstown have started by celebrating major Indian festivals like Diwali, Holi, Lohri etc. Recently, on January 15, BSCT Queenstown celebrated Lohri in a big way with a crowd of over 150 community members. The celebration was also attended by Dr Gaurav Sharma, the first elected Member of Parliament of Indian origin. Various other prominent community faces and leaders including Michael Wood, Inspector Rakesh Naidoo and Mayor of Queenstown and other organisations have also been visiting, and supporting the Queenstown chapter by participating in the events
BSCT Founder and Chairperson Jeet Suchdev has been taking a keen personal interest in establishing the Queenstown chapter. He has been guiding and advising the team to ensure the best practices and models from Auckland are replicated and the community benefits from Suchdev’s experience.
BSCT has an aggressive plan to expand to other major cities in not just New Zealand but in Australia with active plans in cities like Brisbane and Melbourne. The organisation wants to take the model of empowering the community and fostering a sense of cultural belonging in the second generation of migrant community wherever there is a sizeable Indian diaspora presence.
But due to Covid and pandemic response, some of these plans had to be either scaled down or postponed until the conditions are more favourable.
The site is also being finalised for the Canterbury chapter which will soon be operational.
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