The vibrant and culturally rich essence of the Punjabi community took centrestage during the recent celebration of Punjabi Language Week (Nov 1-7) in New Zealand.
The fourth edition of this annual event, rooted in history since 2019, saw overwhelming success, drawing attendees from across the country and emphasising the community's genuine dedication to preserving its heritage and language.
The journey of this event began when the idea to celebrate Punjabi Language Week was conceived by Harjinder Singh Basiala, a well-known figure in the Punjabi community. Various Punjabi organisations, such as Radio Spice, Kuk Punjabi Samachar and Daily Khabar, worked together to chart a course on how to celebrate the week and gain official recognition from the ministry of education.
This year, the celebration saw a substantial turnout, with about 100 people gathering at Radio Spice premises in Papatoetoe and another 50 convening at Indian High Commission in Wellington, which Wellington Punjabi Women Association hosted on November 5. The community's enthusiasm for celebrating and preserving its language and culture was evident.
The highlights of Auckland's cultural fiesta, organised by New Zealand Punjabi Multimedia Trust Board, were a testament to the talent and passion brewing within the Punjabi community.
Eight-year-old Jasneet Kaur's rendition of a song honouring Bhagat Singh was a showstopper, leaving the audience in awe. Equally mesmerising was 11-year-old Harshan Singh's poetic tribute to the Punjabi language.
Adding to the enthusiasm, 10-year-old Ekamjeet Singh-Mann delivered an impassioned speech about the status of Punjabi in New Zealand, while Navtej Randhawa's presentation offered valuable insights into enhancing Punjabi teachings in gurudwaras' Punjabi schools.
The event enjoyed the privilege of hosting Balwinder Kaur Brar, a prolific writer from Calgary, Canada, and a former head of department at Punjabi University Patiala. She not only shared her wisdom but also dazzled the audience with her vision for the future of Punjabi language learning and curriculum.
A riveting speech from the chief guest and Honorary Consul of India in Auckland, Bhav Dhillon, further enriched the event. Jaspreet Kaur, a folklore teacher from Punjab, also participated as a special guest, adding her unique insights to the event.
Parminder Singh, Chairperson of NZ Punjabi Multimedia Trust, told The Indian Weekender, “It was an excellent response, especially as the Kiwi-Punjabi next generation learned a lot about the pronunciation of Punjabi words and also about the history of our Punjabi heritage, including language and folklore.
“We, Kiwi-Punjabis, are proud to be who we are. Our next generation will keep this legacy of our rich heritage, even though they are proudly Kiwis, which is the beauty of this multicultural society in Aotearoa."