The Indian Weekender - Kiwi-Indian Hall of Fame Special - 07 October 2022

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28 NEW ZEALAND Friday, 7 October, 2022 Read online www.iwk.co.nz Plans to revitalise NZICA with new initiatives, digital tech New Zealand Indian Central Association Inc. (NZICA) is one of the oldest Indian organisations in New Zealand. Formed in 1926, it is the only national Indian organisation in NZ set up as an umbrella body for regional Indian community groups throughout Aotearoa operating since its inception. NZICA provides a central channel for Indian communities to voice concerns and together with other member communities join as a collective force. Through this unity we can make a difference for our families and communities. Indian Weekender caught up with NZICA President noted community leader Narendra Bhana, who was earlier president of another respected and even older Indian organisation, the Auckland Indian Association Inc. IWK: How does NZICA serve its members and its constituent and affiliated community organisations? Narendra Bhana: NZICA is an umbrella organisation for regional Indian community groups around NZ. It works closely with its branches to promote, protect and advance Kiwi Indians. It also functions as a link between the Indian community here and the rest of the world. At the same time, it aims to promote legislation affecting the status of Indians, to preserve and foster Indian culture and to encourage youth and women’s involvement. NZICA’s current objectives are: to empower Kiwi Indians; Foster fraternity among the Indian Diaspora; Positively contribute to legislations affecting Kiwi Indians; Preserve Indian culture; Benevolent assistance to needy; Emancipation of Kiwi Indian women; Empower Kiwi Indian Youth; Administer defunct branches. IWK: This is a 96-year-old organisation that was created to address the issues faced by Indians in NZ in older times. How has the organisation changed to accommodate the changing nature of demographics of Indians in New Zealand? (For example now there are far more ethnically diverse Indians in NZ than when NZICA was formed). Narendra Bhana: NZICA has formed a Wider Representation Committee. One of the primary objectives of this committee is to identify new Indian community organisations throughout New Zealand with similar interest, aims and objectives, connect with them and encourage them to join the NZICA. The committee is being Chaired by Nagin Patel from Wellington. Mr Patel is being well supported by committee members from Auckland, Waikato, Pukekohe and Christchurch. The committee has an ambitious plan to grow the NZICA by many folds in the next twelve months. IWK: As President, what are your priorities and what initiatives will you drive in your tenure for NZICA to stay relevant to future generations of NZ-born Indian youngsters? Narendra Bhana: I would also like to see NZICA become a role model for all Indian community organisations throughout the world. I would also like to see NZICA become the first point of contact for all Indians living in New Zealand to resolve their challenges. I aim to transform the NZICA into a high visible, more accessible and engaged Indian community organisation in NZ. I would like to see NZICA become a house-hold name in next 6 – 12 months. I would also like to implement Digital Transformation to modernize business process to improve operational efficiency and connectivity with our members.
Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 7 October, 2022 NEW ZEALAND 29 Spreading Tagore and Roshogulla in New Zealand New Zealand is home to immigrants drawn from different parts of India- be it Punjab, Gujarat, Bengal, Maharashtra or Tamil Nadu. Bengalis represent a small proportion of the Indian diaspora (approx. around 1500-2000), yet the community has many cultural associations across NZ. Probasee Bengalee Association of New Zealand has served the Bengali community for over two decades. With 350-400 registered members, Probasee is one of three registered Bengali associations in NZ. The association came into being in 1998. “Bengali people from India started coming to NZ in the 1970s, but the number increased in the early 1990s. In 1992, a few Bengali families organised the first Durga Pujo in Auckland. Eventually, by 1998 there were more Bengali families in Auckland, and the Probasee Bengalee Association of New Zealand was formed to cater to them,” says Shopan Dasgupta, Probasee general secretary. This year post-Probasee AGM the new Executive Committee (EC) has got down to formulating a ‘plan for how best we can bring back the community together.’ The EC has made a conscious decision to ‘ be in with the times as well as not to lose our customary traditions and rituals, which translates into – trying to bring in the use of modern technology by doing many things virtually as well as continuing with practices which need to be preserved for generations to come. A big focus is to get the younger generation participating more and slowly but steadily being more active and taking on more meaningful roles within the organization. It is of pivotal importance to keep our heritage, traditions, customs, rituals alive and being passed on through the generations. “The Probasee Bengalee Association of NZ has a good strong membership, and we are seeing a lot of new members joining us as well. We want to carry on with the traditions of Bengal. We want the younger generation also to learn and imbibe themselves into the rich culture, heritage, and Bengali traditions.,” Dasgupta says. The non-profit organisation aims to promote the rich cultural heritage of Bengal in NZ. The association conducts cultural, social and religious events throughout the year. Moving on, Dasgupta believes it is vital for ethnic communities to preserve their identity and for that we need to be able to have a long term vision for the future. Since Bengal is known for its art, craft, music and, of course, food (who doesn’t know mishit doi (sweetened yoghurt) and roshogullah), the association organises Bengali plays, musical programmes and concerts featuring renowned poets like Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam and Sukumar Ray, to name a few. According to Dasgupta, the Bengali plays involve people in age groups ranging from 10-75 years, who actively contribute to scriptwriting, direction, musical compositions, singing, set “Bengali people from India started coming to NZ in the 1970s, but the number increased in the early 1990s. In 1992, a few Bengali families organised the first Durga Pujo in Auckland. Eventually, by 1998 there were more Bengali families in Auckland, and the Probasee Bengalee Association of New Zealand was formed to cater to them,” and props production, costume arrangements, designing of tickets and brochures, advertising and publicity, and other responsibilities. “Our events are open to members of Probasee as well as to the general public,” Dasgupta points out. Probasee runs a theatre group that annually stages a Bengali ‘natok’ (drama). In addition, the association hosts festivals such as Durga Puja, Lakshmi Puja and Saraswati Puja, as well as other events, including cricket, soccer, table tennis, badminton, quiz nights and competitions. Food festivals are organised to mark the Bengali New Year, Vijayadashami, and Mahalaya. “By celebrating different festivals, traditions and customs, we are providing the platform and resources to preserve Indian culture,” Dasgupta explains. Probasee has planned events for the rest of the year. “The EC also has made a tentative calendar with the important events for the year already being diarised. We have already put the event calendar on our website, with the dates being more or less accurate. Our challenges over the last two years seem to be on the ‘fade’. But life is always full of challenges, and we are going to take them in our strides.” says Dasgupta. Dasgupta foresees greater participation by the elderly and the youth in the growth of Probasee. In closing, Dasgupta highlights the relief work undertaken by Probasee during natural calamities and the pandemic over the past two years. The association plans to expand its relief efforts globally. THIS MONTH’S SPECIAL Strawberry Fresh Cream Gateau OFFER VALID : 01/10/2022~31/10/2022 [ $68 NOW $62 ] www.gateauhouse.co.nz The Gateau House Official Partner Albany / Botany / Glen Eden / Glenfield / Henderson / Mt Eden / Newmarket / Queen St / Stonefields
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The Indian Weekender - Kiwi-Indian Hall of Fame Special - 07 October 2022

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