The Gujarati Samaj in New Zealand Inc (GSNZ) celebrated its 10th anniversary at a grand event, marking a decade of promoting unity, cultural richness and community spirit.
The celebration, which took place on May 14, 2023, brought together more than 700 Gujarati-speaking member and their family from different parts of New Zealand, showcasing the vibrant traditions of Gujarat and the remarkable journey of the organisation over the past 10 years.
The organisation was established in May 2012 by a handful of people with the passion to preserve Gujarat's rich culture, heritage, and language in the community. It aims to provide a platform for people of Gujarati origin to showcase their creativity and talent, much like a social circle of Gujarati-speaking people.
The GSNZ has more than 500 members across four branches – Senior Citizen Wing, Youth and Children Wing, Women Empowerment Wing and Migrant Support Wing.
Vidyut Oza, one of the founders who travelled from Melbourne to attend the event, told The Indian Weekender, "It gave me immense pleasure to witness the grand celebration of Gujarati Samaj 'Dashabdi Mahotsava' in New Zealand. The efforts I started in 2012, along with a few of my friends, and the seeds we sowed 10 years ago by starting Gujarati Samaj…seeing it blossom into a lively organisation is very enriching. The initiative was to provide an environment where our seniors rejoice in their Gujarati culture while living away from the motherland, and have the opportunity to further plant the seeds of the mother tongue, values and culture of the homeland among the next generations.
The event at Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Auckland kicked off with a warm welcome by executive committee members, followed by a series of cultural performances and presentations.
The stage was adorned with colourful decorations featuring a mix of traditional and contemporary elements, highlighting the evolution of Gujarati culture over the years. Professional and amateur performers treated the audience to a feast of music and dance performances.
One of the event's main highlights was recognising the organisation’s founding members and lifetime members. The event also featured a series of speeches by community leaders and chief guest, highlighting the importance of preserving cultural heritage and promoting community cohesion in a multicultural society.
Guests were treated to a sumptuous spread of authentic Gujarati cuisine, showcasing the state’s culinary diversity and richness. The guests enjoyed the festive atmosphere, with many taking the opportunity to network, socialise and celebrate the organisation’s achievements.
Speaking at the event, the organisation’s president expressed his gratitude to all the members and volunteers. He emphasised the need to continue Gujarati Samaj's mission of preserving cultural heritage and promoting community cohesion in the changing times.
"It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Samaj’s 10th anniversary with the wider community. It was great to showcase our Indian culture and amazing cultural programmes to our guests. It was a first-ever meeting where seniors, youth and children celebrated the event together with other community leaders, sponsors and family members,” GSNZ President Kirit Thaker told The Indian Weekender,
The guests also praised the event. Waitakere Indian Association President Sunil Kaushal said, “Congratulations to the rapidly growing Gujarati Samaj NZ on their 10th anniversary. Keep up the good work of serving the community.”