The Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust opened its Wellington-Manawatu chapter amid colourful dance performances representing the rich cultural diversity of India.
The event was held at the Indian High Commission premises in Wellington on February 24 with a bevy of dignitaries in attendance, who included High Commissioner of India to New Zealand Neeta Bhushan, Kapiti Coast Mayor Janet Holborow, Member of Parliament Paul Eagle, Bhartiya Samaj Chairman Jeet Suchdev, Secretary and Co-founder Roopa Suchdev, NZ Police Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo and New Zealand Indian Central Association (NZICA) President Narendra Bhana, among others.
The Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust, a not-for-profit organisation serving the community since 1995, offers a range of services through their senior citizens, children and youth, new migrants support and social service wings.
First up, High Commissioner Neeta Bhushan was invited onstage by Ishant Ghulyani, who compered the event along with Roopa Suchdev, to deliver the welcome address.
High Commissioner Bhushan commended the Bhartiya Samaj for its yeoman service to the community over several decades.
“I would like to mention that they [Bhartiya Samaj] have provided valuable service in difficult times, such as during the Covid pandemic and the Auckland floods.”
She said Jeet Sachdev “provided that extra comfort in terms of talking to people [in distress]” and noted his contribution to promoting India-NZ friendship.
The high commissioner thanked the NZ government for “looking after our community members.”
She noted with satisfaction that diplomatic missions located in Wellington had been turning up at Indian community functions and taking part in festivals such as Diwali, Holi and Pongal.
Kapiti Coast Mayor Janet Holborow paid tribute to the Suchdevs, as well as the wider Indian community of NZ, for their “extraordinary hard work and impact across many facets of NZ culture, enriching all of New Zealand.”
Holborow applauded the cultural inclusion of Bhartiya Samaj, saying, “The services provided are available free [of cost] to the South Asian communities irrespective of their language, religion, region and social status.”
She cited the example of a grocery store in the area where she lived which was owned by the same family for over 30 years. “In times of need they are there for the community, donating food to families in need, working through the challenges [posed] by disasters, opening their doors every day of the year.”
The family received an award from the community for their service, the mayor said.
Indian culture was celebrated in the small town of Kapiti, she observed. Last year, the first Festival of India was celebrated there.
Up next was a Bharatnatyam performance by the students of the Natraj School of Dance founded by Prabha Ravi. This was followed by a semi-classical Bengali dance performed by the students of the Shivam Dance Academy.
Jeet Suchdev spoke of the organisation’s “humble start” in Auckland some 27 years ago. Today, it has branches in Queenstown, Christchurch and now in Wellington, as well as a branch “across the ditch” in Brisbane, Australia.
NZICA President Narendra Bhana applauded the “outstanding service” provided by the Bhartiya Samaj to the Indian community. He noted that it was moving from “strength to strength” not only in NZ but also in Australia.
The Suchdevs then presented a memento to the high commissioner. Community leader Naginbhai Patel followed suit with a bouquet.
Rishi Sharma, who heads the Bhartiya Samaj in Wellington, was then introduced to the audience.
Jeet Suchdev told the Indian Weekender: “Senior citizens are one of our major focus groups. Seeing that they were isolated, we created a platform for them to meet regularly. We also helped them in distress situations.”
Senior citizens from the Indian community felt out of place in the standard rest home environment, where they faced communication and other issues. The Bhartiya Samaj met that need by setting up culturally appropriate rest homes in NZ, Suchdev pointed out.
Once the speeches were over, the variety entertainment continued with songs by Yudhisthir of Gayatri Pariwar and Jaspreet Singh Kandhari.
Scintillating dance performances also came from the students of Shree, Mayur and Birdy dance academies.
“Our biggest sponsor was Gayatri Pariwar, who made the food and served us all,” Rishi Sharma told the Indian Weekender.
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