Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau

NID Foundation Chief Patron Satnam Singh Sandhu joins Indian community during Auckland Diwali Festival in NZ

Babushahi Bureau 

Auckland, October 8, 2022: NID Foundation Chief Patron S. Satnam Singh Sandhu joined the Indian community during the Auckland Diwali Festival, which is one of the biggest celebrations of the great Indian festival in New Zealand. 

At around 1.5 Lakhs, Auckland has a strong presence of the Indian community, which came together to celebrate this festival of light, in the two-day long festival.

Along with Sandhu, Priyanca Radhakrishnan, New Zealand Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities, and Associate Minister for Social Development & Employment; Christopher Luxon, Leader of Opposition; Phil Goff, Mayor of Auckland; Craig Cooper, Director, Asia New Zealand Foundation; Mr Bhav Dhillon, Honorary Consul of India; Prof Himani Sood, Founder NID Foundation; and Nick Hill, Chief Executive Officer, Tataki Auckland Unlimited were also present on the occasion.

Priyanca Radhakrishnan, the first Cabinet Minister of Indian origin, extended Diwali wishes to the entire community and said, “Diwali is the biggest festival in the Hindu calendar and now on Auckland calendar as well. It is lovely to celebrate it with the pomp and festivity right here. It is an excellent opportunity for our Indian community to celebrate this festival and to share it with other communities across New Zealand, which is an incredibly diverse nation and we are stronger, because of it. The message of the Diwali is the triumph of light over darkness and hope over fear, which holds relevance for us all, irrespective of the communities and regions.” 

“The long-standing and warm New Zealand-India relationship dates back to 1890. I would like to acknowledge the Kiwi Indian communities who have made invaluable contributions over many decades and across various sectors to New Zealand Socio-Cultural fabric and economy. Thank you for that. Visit of Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar to New Zealand earlier this week, first in 20 years, is significant and speaks of the strengthening relationships between two countries,” she said.

The Minister informed that Sky Tower in Auckland will be lit up to create the world’s largest Diya on Diwali, embodying the message of triumph of light over darkness.

In his address, Christopher Luxon, Leader of Opposition, said that the message of the Diwali festival is more relevant to the world of today than any other time. 

“New Zealand is a multi-cultural society and I am incredibly pleased that so many Indians have chosen to call New Zealand their home. The diaspora here in New Zealand is growing and is incredibly hard-working and they are a great example to other New Zealanders because they work incredibly hard, and make life better for themselves, their families, and their community. They are such a passionate, diverse community that has made New Zealand a much better and a much richer place, economically, socially and culturally. Other Communities in New Zealand should learn from Indians how to contribute towards Nation's Economic and Social Development,” he said. 

Praising Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Luxon said, “I am a big fan of Modi’s leadership and the way he has led India over the last few years has been incredibly admirable. I invite PM Modi to come and visit us all in New Zealand.”

Auckland mayor Phil Goff said that Diwali is one of the most popular festivals on Auckland city's annual calendar that gives a glimpse of India to the citizens.

 “As the festival is celebrated after a break of two long years due to the pandemic, Diwali which signifies and symbolizes the victory of Good over Evil, Love over Hate, Knowledge over Ignorance and Light over Darkness, assumes a significance greater than ever,” he said.

“In the world that we live in today with pandemic, threats of war and nuclear weapons, and incidents of human rights violations, it is good to draw inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi who said: ‘Throughout the history, The way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and while they seemed invincible at a time, but in the end they always fall’. So as we celebrate Diwali, let’s act according to Mahatma Gandhi’s belief,” said the Mayor. 

Speaking on the occasion, Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chief Patron of NID Foundation, expressed his happiness to be a part of the Diwali festival celebrated in Auckland. 

“I am pleased to have joined fellow Indians overseas in celebrating one of the biggest festivals of India. The Indian diaspora has contributed significantly to the nation’s growth and it is a moment of pride for me to witness the immense respect that India and Indians hold among the people of New Zealand, besides the unflinching support from the New Zealand government,” he said. 

“Under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the status of India has risen on the world map, due to which Indians have got special recognition and respect in every country. I have observed that Prime Minister Modi is immensely popular not just among the Indian community, but he enjoys a great reputation amongst the global leaders,” he added. 

Like the past years, Auckland's Diwali Festival started off at a high note this year too, with captivating dance performances, live music acts, mouth-watering vegetarian food, Rangoli Competition, vibrant arts and crafts, and a fireworks finale being organised to thrill the audience, which largely involves over 25 thousand members of Indian Diaspora, mostly Gujarati and Punjabi Sikh Community. Mr and Ms Auckland 2022 Competition was also organized at the Festival.