Conflict distracts Republic Day spirit

Republic Day is an occasion to exhibit solidarity and spirit of national integration for Indians, while the event in Auckland stands the risk of dividing the community, leading to further polarisation.

January 26, 2010 would be a landmark in the history of independent India and the official festivities in New Delhi and state capitals would have added colour and gaiety as the Nation celebrates the Diamond Jubilee of its constitutional sovereignty and complete cessation from imperial rule.

But in Auckland, the event will place Indians from India in a dilemma, as two programmes will be held on January 24, at two different venues, separated by just 90 minutes, but not as much by geographic distance as personality conflict.

United Indianz will celebrate the event at the Aotea Centre on Queen Street in the Central Business District from 1030 am.

Chairman Roshan Nauhira said his organisation had been planning the event since long and that it would be graced by Prime Minister John Key, Ethnic Affairs Minister Pansy Wong, Opposition and Labour Party Leader Phil Goff and India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand Admiral (Retired) Sureesh Mehta and many others.

“Our programme will comprise a flag-hoisting ceremony, patriotic songs, speeches and cultural items, in addition to release of a souvenir to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of India’s Republic. This is an occasion for all Indians to celebrate and I invite everyone to be with us on the occasion,” he told Indian Newslink.

A number of organisations have joined United Indianz in marking the event. They include the Auckland Indian Association, Auckland Sikh Society, Bharatiya Mandir, ISSO Swaminarayan Temple Papatoetoe, Manukau Indian Association, Muthtamil Sangam,  New Zealand Telugu Association, Probasee Bengali Association, Punjabi Cultural Association, Shanti Niwas Charitable Trust, Waitakere Ethnic Board and Yogi Divine Society.

Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust is also organising a similar function at the TelstraClear Event Centre in Manukau, with the festivities beginning at 12 pm.

“The programme will include a parade, flag-hoisting ceremony, songs, dances and other items that showcase India and its states,” Trust Chairman Jeet Suchdev said.

Among the organisations supporting his event are Anjuman-E-Saifee New Zealand Inc, Auckland Malayalee Samajam, Auckland Marathi Association Inc, Auckland Muthtamil Sangam, Chinmaya Mission New Zealand, Goan Overseas Association of New Zealand, Hindu Elders Foundation, New Zealand Kannada Koota Inc, New Zealand Telugu Association, North Shore Indian Association, New Zealand Hindu Youth Forum, New Zealand Indian Senior Citizens, New Zealand Punjabi Cultural Association, New Zealand Sikh Martial Arts (KUK Group), Probasee Bengalee Association of New Zealand, Shri Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), South East Auckland Senior Citizens Association, Sukhmani Charitable Trust, The Art of Living Foundation, The International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Waitakere Indian Association and Zarathustrian Association of New Zealand

 “An Indian art and craft exhibition, with a number of items on display and sale will be held at the venue for two days,” Mr Suchdev said.

The New Zealand Indian Central Association appointed United Indianz as its Committee to organise the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of India’s Independence in August 2007. The forthcoming Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of India’s Republic Day would be the second major function for United Indianz.

Bhartiya Samaj Trust was established in 2000 to serve the cultural and social needs of the community. It conducts regular programmes for senior citizens, youth and children, apart from providing migrant and settlement support, conducting language and yoga classes and organising India’s Republic Day and Independence Day functions.

The Trust will celebrate its tenth anniversary in July as a registered body, although its services date back to 1995.