Venu Menon
Wellington, May 6,2024
It was an evening of celebration, as well as reminiscence, as women turned out in their traditional Indian finery at the High Commission of India premises in Wellington on May 4 to mark the confluence of two cultures – that of India and Fiji.
As Sir Anand Satyanand, former Governor General of New Zealand, who was among the dignitaries present on the occasion, rightly pointed out to the assembly, there was an “obvious connection” embedded in a common heritage that expressed itself in “language, music, dance and cuisine.”
The role of the diaspora was integral in sustaining that heritage.
“It is fortunate that one of the main players in the projection of Indian culture is the diaspora, who are those people of Indian origin who live outside India, and the encouragement that the diaspora receives, in particular over the last quarter century, from the Government of India,” Satyanand noted.
He identified cuisine as “a central item of delivering culture,” and cited the Times of India’s emphasis on cuisine, “comparing and contrasting” the cuisine of the Indian sub-continent.
Cuisine served as a cultural conduit between the diaspora and the homeland as the emigres charted their arduous journey across the seas more than a century ago.
Satyanand extended the cuisine metaphor to usher in the role of the Asia Pacific Indian Ladies Association (APILA), founded in 2003 by Shashi Jokhan, who organised the evening’s event.
“This leads across the seas to Fiji and New Zealand, and to Mrs Jokhan’s organisation APILA , which features Indian cuisine as part of its events, which are connected one way or another with the delivery of cuisine.”
Satyanand wrapped up with the observation that “Indian cuisine delivered in this part of the world, in Fiji and in New Zealand, is equal to anywhere else in the world.”
Up next, First Secretary of the Fijian High Commission in New Zealand Melania Baba opened her address with a reference to the upcoming commemoration of Girmit Day “when we will remember and honour the history of our Indian diaspora.”
She recollected a poignant moment of that painful history:
“Among those who had laboured in that system of oppression [Indentured Labour] were Indian women who were forced to live and work in harsh conditions. For example, some had to return to the farms just days after giving birth.”
But Girmit Day was also a moment to celebrate the “tremendous contributions of the descendants of our Girmitiyas in helping build Fiji into what it is today,” the Fijian diplomat said.
She noted the role played by APILA in “serving the Wellington community for the past 20 years,” as well as during the Covid-19 pandemic period in Fiji.
APILA’s contributions to the community were also acknowledged by High Commissioner of India to New Zealand Neeta Bhushan, who emphasised the “similarities than the differences” that bound Fiji Indians to India.
Girmit Day commemorated the “indomitable spirit and courage shown by the forefathers who moved from India more than 145 years ago to start a new life in different countries, especially Fiji,” High Commissioner Bhushan noted.
She acknowledged the triumph of the Fiji Indian diaspora in preserving Indian heritage and culture, and stressed the priority accorded by the Government of India to the diaspora, reflected in initiatives such as Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Know India, and Chalo India.
For her part, APILA chairperson Shashi Jokhan touched on some of the worthy causes promoted by the organisation, which included raising funds for the Wellington Free Ambulance service as well as the Mary Potter Hospice.
She described Girmityas as being a blend of cultures from India, Fiji and New Zealand, “with a touch of Britishness.” The sombre wit was not lost on the audience.
The cultural entertainment that interspersed the speeches included a Kuchipudi dance performance by Akshara Ravi of the Srichakra School of Fine Arts run by Radhika Ravi, followed by Bharat Natyam rendered by Matusha Paraneetharan of the Natraj School of Dance founded by Prabha Ravi.
Krisha Raju of Auckland University and Yudhistar Rajput from Wellington belted out popular Hindi songs that engaged the audience who clapped along with gusto.
A robust performance of the Fijian traditional dance form, Meke, by Sakaraia Nasau, Lekima Waqainabete and Ilaitia Tuwere, was a key highlight.
The evening culminated with cultural bonding around ethnic Indian cuisine.
Venu Menon is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Wellington
