India Weekender 23 Sep

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4 NEW ZEALAND Friday, 23 September, 2022 Read online www.iwk.co.nz Kiwi Indians honoured at NZICA’s gala award event DEV NADKARNI The second New Zealand Indian Central Association Inc. (NZICA) Gala Awards event was glittering affair held at Auckland’s Mahatma Gandhi Centre on Saturday night (17 September). More than 400 guests including Government ministers, members of parliament, diplomats and several dignitaries and eminent citizens from all over New Zealand attended Saturday’s event. Established last year in New Plymouth, the awards recognise those who have made a significant difference to New Zealand Indians and wider communities and is spread across categories of the spheres of activity such as social, educational, sporting and cultural that the awardees have contributed to. The evening began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp at the hands of dignitaries and eminent guests, followed by a stirring waiata and haka by the Wheiao Kapahaka Group and a traditional Indian semi-classical dance by Sushma Kuncha of Anuradha’s School of Dance. Former Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand, ministers Priyanca Radhakrishnan and Michael Wood, Indian diplomat Mukesh Ghiya, Honorary Consul of India in Auckland Bhav Dhillon and Member of Parliament Melissa Lee delivered brief speeches. NZICA Gala Awards Convener Ashok Darji spoke about the genesis of the awards and congratulated the awardees who were chosen by a jury panel. The highlight of this year’s awards night was the Honorary Membership of the NZICA conferred on former NZ prime minister Helen Clark. Unable to attend the ceremony because she was away taking care of her ailing centenarian father, her long time Labour Party and United Nations colleague and former minister Chris Carter accepted the award on her behalf. Madanjeet Singh Bange and Ishvarbhai Rambhai were both conferred Life Membership of NZICA on the evening. The award ceremonies kicked off after a most energetic yet graceful Bharatanatyam performance by the extremely talented Abhishek Ravi, who incorporated Maori elements into the dance with the use of poi (which was also used deftly by dancers after the haka performance at the beginning). Raman Chhima of the Wellington Indian Association (WIA) was conferred with the Wellbeing (Health) award; Shires of the Central Districts Indian Association conferred the Wellbeing (Business) award. Spirited nonagenarian Ruxmaniben V. Kasanji (WIA) was awarded the ‘Hidden Gem’ while Ekta Nathu, also of WIA received the Young Achiever award. WIA’s Shardaben Patel received the Women Empowerment award. Auckland Indian Association Inc (AIAI) President Dhansukh Lal received the award for the Association’s Centenary Celebration; Harshad Patel of AIAI received the Arts & Culture award and Pukekohe Indian Association’s veteran leader Prithipal Singh Basra received the Outstanding Leadership award. Community of the Year award was conferred on Central Districts Indian Association while Immigration NZ received the NZICA President’s Award. Speaking to Indian Weekender during the awards, NZICA President Narendra Bhana said, “I am privileged to have an opportunity to express my sincere congratulations and deep appreciation to each and every awardees. “It was a highly successful All for promoting Telugu Literature NAVDEEP KAUR MARWAH Alfred North Whitehead, a notable English mathematician, logician, educator and philosopher, once said, “It is in literature that the concrete outlook of humanity receives its expression.” And especially in today’s globalised world, for every culture, it becomes even more critical to preserve and promote its literature. And taking this sentiment forward was a recently held 8th World Telugu Literary Conference that was held successfully non-stop for 24 hours for the first time in New Zealand. For the uninitiated, World Telugu Literary Conference is a conference for the furtherance of the Telugu language. Literary luminaries attend and share their views on spreading and preserving the Telugu language. Organised by New Zealand Telugu Association (NZTA), Vanguri Foundation of America and six other organisations from India, Singapore, Australia, Norway, Canada and South Africa, the event saw numerous diaspora Telugu Writers from around the world coming together at Sai Baba Community Centre, Onehunga over the weekend (September 17 and 18) The event was inaugurated by Hon Consul of India in Auckland Bhav Dhillon, who highlighted the contribution of diaspora writers to world literature and its constant importance. The program kicked off with the presentation of a research study done by Rekha Kuncha on the role of attitude in language shift and maintenance in the Telugu community submitted in 2001 at the University of Auckland, followed by research done by Lahari Kasarla on the use of Telugu language by young adults in 2021. The conference also took place online, with over 150 Telugu poets, writers and scholars from about 30 countries in five continents presenting papers and their literary work, which was viewed by over 10,000 worldwide. Srilatha Magatala of NZTA and Dr Raju Vanguri of Vanguri Foundation of America from Houston, Texas, conducted the proceedings with a touch of humour. The proceedings in 11 literary forums were conducted online by many stalwarts in Telugu literature from various countries. The event was broadcast live on many YouTube and Facebook channels. Many talented artists and organisations like Sangeeta Bharathi represented by Dr Padma Mallela and her students, Sushma Kuncha and Abhishek Ravi of Anuradha School of dance, Vasu Kunapuli of SG consultants, Rhythm School of dance, Hiral Pusarla and Kavya Itla of Wondergirls performed at the event. NZTA’s President Anitha Mogilicharla revealed that on both days, the event was very well planned and attended by almost 150 people. She said, “It is great that the event garnered an unprecedented response from speakers from various countries worldwide.” NZTA’s General Secretary Suneel Kuncha Said, “This is the second International event organised by NZTA successfully. We look forward to organising many more such events soon.” Even the guests appreciated the initiative and had all the praises for the organisers. One of the attendees, Kala evening. We have received so many compliments from our guests and sponsors. Attendees thoroughly enjoyed delicious food provided by the Auckland Indian Association Catering Team and amazing ambience created by my team of Officers.” NZICA is the only national Indian organisation in NZ set up as an umbrella body for regional Indian community groups throughout the country operating since 1926. NZICA provides a central channel for Indian communities to voice concerns. The association was established in 1926 by three Indian associations such as Auckland, Wellington and ‘Country Section’ to advance the cause of all Indians present in the country be it educational, health, welfare or cultural identity. Today the central body is connected with 18 other associations and has a track history of 96 years dealing with the issues concerned to the members of the associations and Kiwi Indians. Srihari, said, “Telugu is one of the most beautiful languages and the fourth most spoken language in India. It is called “The Italian of the East” because Niccol de Conti, a 16th-century Italian traveller, found that the Telugu language finishes with vowels just like the Italian language. Very proud to be part of 8th World Telugu Sahithi Sadassu organised by NZTA.” Another guest Sridevi Krishna Pusarla said that the event provided the youth with the richness and heritage of the Telugu language. “It is a great event for not only us but for the younger generation as well. Such events provide the youth with the richness and heritage of the Telugu language. It was inspiring to listen to knowledgeable guest speakers from around the world and our local speakers enriching us on how to love and care for our Telugu language. I thank NZTA for organising such great events.”
Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 23 September, 2022 NEW ZEALAND 5 Kiwi-Marathis celebrate Ganeshotsav in grand way NAVDEEP KAUR MARWAH The Kiwi-Marathi diaspora in Auckland came together in full enthusiasm to celebrate the Ganapati Utsav by the Auckland Marathi Association Inc. (AMAI). The event, which took place on Saturday (September 17) at Freemans Bay Community Centre, saw more than 350 people in attendance. The event was graced by the presence of dignitaries, including Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities, Priyanca Radhakrishnan; Head of Chancery of Indian High Commission, Mukesh Ghiya and Leader of ACT Party, David Seymour. Sharing his experience, Seymour said, “Sensational (covid belated) celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi. New Zealand at its finest has many strands being who they are in harmony; it was a wonderful night.” Ghiya also called the event a wonderful program. He expressed his emotions on Facebook, “Feeling blessed and high morale booster after getting Ganapati’s blessings. Thanks to Auckland Marathi Association for the wonderful program and for inviting me.” The whole community hall, which was artistically decorated with flowers, lights, magnificent curtains and Rangoli, created by Smita Upadhye, provided the perfect festive ambience to the event. The puja rituals began at 3.00 pm when all the members venerated the idol of Lord JAFA This week we’re making over 351,000 Aucklanders happier It pays to be Just Another Friendly Aucklander... Ganesha. The Lord was offered prayers and invocations, followed by Aartis and the distribution of Prasad among the members. This was followed by cultural performances, which included various Marathi folk dances like Gondhal. There was also a classical performance which was a tribute to Late Lata Mangeshkar, a speech on Lokmanya Tilak and lastly, a Dindi performed by Committee members and volunteers. Neha Nalawade, the President of AMAI, seemed delighted with the turnout at the event. She said, “I am overwhelmed at the support and response we got for the celebration. It was wonderful to see people singing Maha- Arti, enjoying the performances, and delighted to be able to celebrate our Bappa after a twoyear break due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We hope to continue this celebration on Diwali, which will be celebrated on October 29 at Titirangi War Memorial Hall.” Another event highlight was the launch of AMAI’s initiative ‘Bring a book’, where community members donated notebooks and stationery. AMAI will present these to the most suitable service organisation locally or in India. Guests, too, couldn’t stop gushing about the event. One of the attendees, Priya Kulkarni, said, “The event recreated the magic and traditions of the Ganapati festival that we used to experience back in India. It was awesome to relive that through being part of this celebration. Everything transported me back to my hometown Mumbai, from food to dance.” “Feeling blessed and high morale booster after getting Ganapati’s blessings. Thanks to Auckland Marathi Association for the wonderful program and for inviting me.” As no cultural celebration is complete without the local delicacies, the guests were seen relishing authentic Maharashtrian food, which included Masale Bhat, Tomato Saar and Shrikhand Puri. Enjoy your $273 Entrust dividend, Auckland. Plus $30 from Vector! You’re eligible for the Entrust dividend if you were a customer on the Vector electricity network in the Entrust District at midnight on Wednesday 10 August 2022. The Entrust District includes central, east and south Auckland. For more information, visit entrustnz.co.nz facebook.com/entrustnz
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India Weekender 23 Sep

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