The 132nd birth anniversary of the principal architect of India's constitution BR Ambedkar, also known as 'Equality Day', was celebrated with full enthusiasm at Sri Guru Ravidass Temple in Bombay Hills recently.
The event on April 30, 2023, was organised by Ambedkar Sports and Cultural Club and the High Commission of India in collaboration with NID Foundation to honour Babasaheb for his contribution towards the upliftment of marginalised communities and women's empowerment, as well as the creation of the Indian constitution, designing law and order system and implementing labour welfare guidelines among others.
About 400 people attended the event, including dignitaries such as High Commissioner of India to New Zealand Neeta Bhushan, Hon Consul of India in Auckland Bhav Dhillon, New Zealand Central Sikh Association Chairman Prithi Pal Basra and former MPs Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi and Dr Parmjeet Parmar.
Bhushan, who was the chief guest, spoke on the importance of equality and unity. Parliamentarian Andrew Bayly, who also attended the event, said, "It was a very significant day for Sikhs in NZ as they celebrated the contribution of Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, who led the team that wrote India’s constitution and preached tolerance, acceptance and equal opportunity. Great to see the Indian High Commissioner, HE Ms Neeta Bhushan and Hon Consul Bhav Dhillon, and my former parliamentary colleagues Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi and Dr Parmjeet Parmar, at the event.”
Chancellor of Chandigarh University and Chief Patron NID Foundation Satnam Singh Sandhu especially travelled from India to attend the event, along with Professor Himani Sood, the founder of NID Foundation.
The organisation is an economic and political outreach and engagement body that works with the community, government, industry, and civil society stakeholders to generate reform-oriented intelligence in areas of domestic and international issues, governance, education and environmental reforms.
The event’s highlights included the installation of a copy of the Constitution of India in New Zealand by High Commissioner Bhushan, and the launch of Bhim Magazine, which features the principles and messages of Babasaheb and also covers the activities and events organised by the club.
The copy of constitution was brought from India by Chancellor Sandhu and presented to the community to be installed in the newly built Dr BR Ambedkar Library at the Sri Guru Ravidass Temple.
Sanjeev Toora, President of Ambedkar Sports & Cultural Club, said, "The response from the community groups was positive. The entire Kabaddi Federation New Zealand team, the New Zealand Sikh Games team and all the prominent sports clubs representatives attended the event. It was great to see Ambedkar Mission Society New Zealand's entire team also attending the event, along with the representatives from various gurudwaras of New Zealand.”
Toora said such events are significant for the Kiwi-Indian community as they provide an opportunity for the diaspora to stay connected with their culture and heritage. “Also, these events are a perfect platform to show our rich and unique culture to other communities and ethnicities residing in NZ. And they also encourage our younger generation to connect with their heritage,” he said.
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