Seva Charitable Trust of New Zealand recently kicked off its first-ever Diwali celebration at Papatoetoe Town Hall in a dazzling display of lights, colours and talent.
The real showstopper, however, was a groundbreaking seniors pageant that turned the spotlight on the vivacity, flair, and sheer glamour of the elderly community.
The event on November 8 drew a lively crowd of about 150 people, including dignitaries like MPs Rima Nakhle and Carlos Cheung; Alber Lim from Papatoetoe/Otara Local Board; Jessica Phuang from NZ Police, and community leaders from various organisations.
From a spellbinding diya dance to a runway strut featuring seniors from the Chinese community, the festivities had something to offer for one and all. While Mohinder Chadha bagged Mr Seva Senior, Gulshan Chadha became Mrs Seva Senior.
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Former parliamentarian and CEO of Seva Charitable Trust of New Zealand, Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi expressed gratitude to the fashion industry professionals who threw their weight behind the event.
“This is the first pageant of its kind, and we had professionals from the fashion industry supporting our seniors participating in the pageant. The participants walked the ramp showcasing Indian attire from various states of India and were judged for their attire, talent, and inner beauty.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sheetal Allam from Aroha, our judges Pooja and Jaiss from Bespoke Clothing, volunteers, and our sponsors for their support.”
Adding to this, Nilima Venkat, the organisation’s Head of Operations, said, “It was not just a celebration of Diwali but a tribute to the rich life experiences of the elderly, aligning perfectly with the United Nations' International Day of Older Persons observed on October 1. So, we thought of combining both and creating a unique programme that enriches our culture and empowers our seniors."
Chairperson Ranjay Sikka was clearly on a high from the event's triumph. "The success of the first major event of Seva Trust has inspired and motivated us to organise more meaningful and helpful services/programs in the future."
Spectators praised the Seniors Pageant concept, commending the participants for their confidence and pride. One of the attendees and community leader, Harjit Singh, exclaimed, "The senior participants looked beautiful and radiated confidence and glamour. I enjoyed a wonderful performance by all who took part in cultural activities. The Chinese dance group performance made the event more wonderful."
Seva Charitable Trust of New Zealand, a sister entity of the Indian Global Business Chamber, was established in 2023 to work towards the well-being of the South Asian community, especially focusing on women and the empowerment of the elderly.
The organisation runs a day programme for seniors every Wednesday in Papatoetoe, South Auckland, engaging them in various health and welfare activities.
For more information on Seva Charitable Trust of New Zealand, contact Head of Operations - Nilima Venkat on 021682631 or info@ sevatrustnz.org.
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