Mentoring scheme to foster Kiwi Indians

A scheme to promote and celebrate the success of young men and women of Indian origin was launched in Wellington recently, close on the heels of a similar launch in Auckland a month earlier.

BornHere is the brainchild of College Sport Auckland Chief Executive Manoj Daji, Marketing Manager Bho Patel and Blacksticks Hockey Player Priyesh Bana.

Tarun Mohanbhai (D’Arranged Marriage), Leela Patel (Shortland Street) and Arrun Soma (One News) are among the young Kiwi Indian celebrities who have agreed to participate in the scheme as mentors.

Founders of the non-profit scheme are College Sport Auckland Chief Executive Manoj Daji, Federal Geo Limited Marketing Manager Bho Patel and Blacksticks Hockey Player Priyesh Bhana.

Mr Daji said that “informal mentors in the Indian community’ helped him and his co-founders achieve success in their lives and career and that they were keen to formalise such an approach with a well-structured mentoring programme for the ensuing generations of people of Indian origin in New Zealand.

“Since such mentoring opportunities do not exist for all members of Generation Y and Z, BornHere hopes to become the ideal programme to enable the growth of genuine leaders of the Indian community that is increasingly becoming fragmented.

“Our vision is to provide inspiration and guidance to young New Zealand Indians to assist in the achievement of their personal goals,” he said.

The Group plans to conduct monthly meetings in Auckland and Wellington at which mentors will speak about their life and career, challenges that they encountered and their ‘Indian connection.’

The meetings would be informal, affording interaction between the attendants and discuss a variety of issues.

The presence of mentors representing arts, drama, comedy, medicine, sport and business is expected to enhance the value of the meetings.

“The objective is to celebrate the local, national and international success of other Indians in New Zealand by sharing experiences and connecting successful mentors with young mentees who have already demonstrated an ability to achieve and lead in the community,” Mr Daji said.

The group has invited successful young Indians to become mentors.

It is understood that the terms of reference of the mentors and mentees, frequency of meetings, topics covered and similar issues will evolve over a course of time.

For more information on the scheme call Manoj Daji on 021-308689.

Email bornherem8@gmail.com