June 15 2017 Indian Newslink Digital Edition

16
Communitylink
JUNE 15, 2017
Indians weather storms of discard, foster prosperity
Behold a Pictorial Expo at Mahatma Gandhi Centre, Auckland Indian Association, 145, New North Road, Eden Terrace, Saturday,
July 1, 2017 from 10 am to 4 pm; At Papakura Museum, 209 Great South Road, Papakura from August 7 to September 22, 2017.
Venkat Raman
venkat@indiannewslink.co.nz
The Indian community in
New Zealand has acquired a
special status in the political,
commercial, industrial, social
and community spectrum of New
Zealand, with almost everyone paying
tribute to a society of people for their
patience and perseverance.
Year 2017 marks the 125th Anniversary
of the arrival of the first settlers,
although informal references to the
early arrivals date back to 1880s.
Year 2017 also marks the 90th
Anniversary of the New Zealand
Indian Central Association (NZICA),
indubitably a remarkable milestone in
the history of a nation.
It is hard to perceive if there is any
parallel to NZICA and its seniority
anywhere in the world; for, while
Indian presence began in many parts
of the world almost 140 years ago
as indentured labourers, there is no
evidence of a formal grouping or
association. On that score, Indians in
New Zealand could be justly proud of
their grouping.
Some inevitable questions
How and why did Indians arrive
in New Zealand? Did the first arrival
occur by accident or was it planned?
What was their experience on the first
day of arrival? Were they treated with
respect or contempt? If they were not
welcomed, why did they decide to stay
Pritam and Plara, sometime
in the 1900s
back, especially since they were
not bonded labour? What kept
them going? And finally, which
is the era that can be identified
to say that ‘they have arrived?’
There may be no written
answers to these questions but
a pictorial exhibition could
speak a million or more words
of the life, career, business,
social disposition and trials and
tribulations of Indians in New
Zealand.
Commemorative Exhibition
The Exhibition, put together
by NZICA, will be open from
10 am to 4 pm on Saturday,
July 1, 2017 at Mahatma
Gandhi Centre located at 145,
New North Road, Eden Terrace
in Central Auckland. Later,
it will be held at Papakura
Museum, 209 Great South
Road, Papakura from August
7 to September 22, 2017. The
Exhibition commemorates the
Freedom Movement in India had its strong influence among
Indians in New Zealand
125th Anniversary of the arrival
of Indians in this country.
NZICA officials have been
working since last year to
organise this event.
Bhikhu Bhana
Following is a statement
from NZICA President Bhikhu
Bhana:
The Exhibition, comprising
photographs and commentary,
will tour all over New Zealand.
The settlement of Indians
in New Zealand for over a
century marks a very significant
worldwide commemoration.
Outside of Asia, the settlement
of Indians in New Zealand is
one of the oldest in the world
and the Indian Diaspora can
be proud of this remarkable
achievement.
As a third Generation
New Zealander Indian, I
am immensely proud of the
achievement of the Indian
A community meeting in progress in Auckland
community – a community
that started with settlers from
Punjab and Gujarat, now
encapsulates Indians from all
states of the subcontinent. They
have established themselves in
many professions, businesses,
sporting and artistic qualities.
The structure of NZICA
and cooperation of all Indians
in New Zealand presents an
opportunity to be a role model
in the world for Indians living
abroad.
This exhibition, due for
launch on July 1, 2017 with
a formal opening and Jubilee
dinner, marks the start of a national
roadshow and a stepping
stone for exciting future profile
enhancement of Indians in New
Zealand.
Prakash Biradar
Following is the Statement
sent at our request by Prakash
Biradar, General Secretary.
India’s Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at a Reception hosted by NZICA
during her visit to New Zealand from May 27 to May 29, 1968
The New Zealand
Indian Central Association was
established in 1926 with existing
three branches of Indian
Associations as an apex body
to engage with the Government
for the betterment of the
Indian Community. Since then,
NZICA has worked relentlessly,
taking up the issues with the
Government and resolved
them to create a good living for
Indians in New Zealand.
In a thickly populated Gujarati
and Punjabi community at
the Indian Associations, I am
proud to say that I am the first
Kannadiga, a South Indian to
become General Secretary of
the apex body in 2013 through
Auckland Indian Association
which was a main branch of
NZICA.
I salute pioneer Indians who
established this organisation.
I am fortunate to be in office
as NZICA celebrates its 90th
anniversary.
NZICA is organising a
Black-Tie Jubilee Dinner,
with three course meal,
complimentary drink and Cash
Bar at Mahatma Gandhi Centre
on July 1, 2017. The event will
have a special guest appearance
by celebrated theatre personality
Jacob Rajan.
Entry by tickets, priced at
$50 per person should be purchased
in advance since there
would no door sales. For further
information, please email
Prakash Biradar at secretary@
nzindians.org.nz or Hansa
Naran at nhuns@hotmail.com
Additional Reading: Our
Editorial, ‘Amidst prejudice
and disrespect, a community
rises,’ under Viewlink.
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