A wave of emotion swept through Hamilton Lake on April 25 as members of the Indian and wider community came together for a solemn vigil in remembrance of the lives lost in the terrorist attack at Pahalgam in Kashmir.
The gathering was organised by Daksha and Uday from event company Rudra Entertainment, and Shereen Bakshi and Dhawan Sehadev from the University of Waikato. The vigil drew a sizeable turnout. The atmosphere was filled with sorrow, unwavering solidarity, and a collective demand for peace.
Though miles away from India, the pain felt by the community was palpable. Many attendees stood in silence, visibly emotional, sharing in the shared grief that transcended borders. The tragedy in Kashmir touched a nerve, especially within the Kashmiri diaspora who, even after leaving their homeland years ago.
The vigil featured heartfelt addresses from notable community figures, each expressing deep empathy for the victims and voicing the anguish of the Kashmiri community.
Ash Parmar, former ACT Party candidate, spoke of the strength in unity and the importance of global communities standing in solidarity with those affected by terrorism.
Tarun Pragji from the Waikato Indian Association Inc. reflected on the pain the community felt and how, in moments like these, coming together becomes an act of healing and resilience.
Colonel Sushil Bakshi, a retired Indian Army officer and Kashmiri Pandit himself, delivered a deeply personal and emotional speech, sharing firsthand the scars left by decades of conflict and the urgent need for peace and justice. His words resonated with many Kashmiri families in attendance who echoed the sentiment: “Enough is enough”.
Manish Sharma from the Hamilton City Council emphasised the role of communities abroad in raising awareness and fostering unity, and praised the organisers for mobilising such a heartfelt and meaningful event in the face of tragedy.
Many Kashmiri families present expressed their sorrow, recalling memories of home not with nostalgia, but with grief. “We left Kashmir for safety, but the pain never left us,” one attendee shared. “And when we hear about another attack, it’s like reopening a wound that never really healed.”
The organisers shared that the core purpose behind this gathering was not only to honour those who lost their lives but to show that the Indian community in Hamilton stands united in the face of terror, no matter the distance.
“This vigil wasn’t just about mourning,” said Daksha from Rudra Entertainment. “It was about sending a message – of peace, of unity, and of strength.”
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