Indian Community Marks 79th Independence Day with Nationwide Celebrations

Indians and people of Indian origin across New Zealand came together to celebrate India’s 79th Independence Day on August 15, 2023. This year’s festivities included flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural presentations at various locations, such as Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Palmerston North. More than 400 attendees gathered at the High Commission in Wellington for a vibrant program featuring patriotic songs and performances by students from the Wellington Hindi School and Khandallah School.

At the High Commission, Neeta Bhushan, the High Commissioner of India to New Zealand, raised the Indian National flag. She also shared excerpts from the annual address delivered by Indian President Droupadi Murmu, highlighting the significance of this day in India’s history, marked by its liberation from over 200 years of British rule.

The celebrations were not limited to Wellington. In Auckland, Madan Mohan Sethi, the Consul General of India, led the local festivities. He congratulated the Indian community and emphasized the beginning of a new era in New Zealand-Indian relations. The President of the New Zealand Indian Central Association, Veer Khar, urged the community, now the third largest in New Zealand, to unite and advocate for greater political representation. Current MPs of Indian origin, Priyanca Radhakrishnan from the Labour Party and Parmjeet Parmar from the ACT Party, spoke about their Indian heritage during the event.

Radhakrishnan remarked, “Today we celebrate the value of democracy—something worth fighting for.” Parmar added, “For me and my family, both India and New Zealand are home.”

In Auckland, the celebrations took place at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre, where Vince Cocurullo, the Mayor of Whangārei, expressed his excitement about hosting part of the festivities in his district the following week. On August 18, a business meeting and culinary showcase will be held, organized by the Whangārei District Council and the Indian Consulate.

The opening of the Indian Consulate General in Auckland in September 2022 has amplified the Independence Day celebrations this year. According to Sethi, “This year we are organizing a multi-city, multi-day Indian festival titled ‘The World and Us,’ which brings together the shared values of culture, cuisine, and commerce between India and New Zealand.” Events are scheduled from August 15 to 18, encompassing various cities, including Wellington, Auckland, Hamilton, and Whangārei.

In addition to the cultural presentations, an Indian food festival commenced at Auckland’s North Shore. Esteemed chefs from India, Satyanarayana Pandari and Anuj Mathur, showcased signature dishes such as Hyderabadi biryani and Bengali fish curry. Culinary educators Prem Ram and Suprabhat Banerjee were also present, emphasizing the importance of food diplomacy between the two nations. Ram commented, “Indian cuisine is so diverse it can be combined with any other cuisine of the world. Add to it the freshness of New Zealand ingredients, and we can create something special.”

On August 19, a friendly MasterChef competition will take place, featuring Indian and New Zealand chefs in a mystery box challenge. Additionally, a cultural evening is planned at Auckland’s Dew Drop Events Centre on August 16 and at the Waikato Indian Association Hall in Hamilton on August 17. These events, free to the public, will feature performances by renowned Indian singer Shibani Kashyap.

A unique cross-cultural fashion show, curated by the Whiria Collective from New Zealand and India’s CD Foundation, will also be a highlight of the celebrations, showcasing the vibrant blend of Māori and Indian cultures.

The collective celebrations across New Zealand not only honor India’s independence but also strengthen the cultural ties and friendship between India and New Zealand, creating a platform for future collaboration and unity within the Indian community.