The Indian community in Waikato will honour teachers and younger members of the society at a special meeting on September 5.
The Editor of this newspaper will speak on Seniors in Family & Faith, with a special reference to the contributions of teachers to strengthen the family and social bond.
The meeting will be held at the Celebrating Age Centre, located at 30 Victoria Street from 330 pm.
Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Waikato and the Indianz Global Women and Family Group are presenting this programme as a part of the Teachers Day Celebrations.
India celebrates September 5 as Teachers Day, in homage to India’s Second President and educationist Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.
The event in Hamilton will include awards to children of Indian origin in recognition of their achievements in education, arts, language and sports.
Mehta wants unity
Despite calling for oneness and speaking on public platforms about unity in diversity and other jargons, Indians are perhaps the most divided as a community. Factionalism, petty quarrels and personality cults peak within the community and not a single organisation can claim to be unbiased.
As a bastion of solidarity and defender of ‘Indian Oneness,’ Indian High Commissioner Retired Admiral Sureesh Mehta recommends a unified approach to all things, including observing Republic Day, Independence Day, Diwali and so on.
That was the thrust of his speech in Hamilton, during his maiden visit last month.
His advice fell on deaf ears.
Just days after the programme (called Swagatotsav) was held, an Indian Association official wrote to us taking serious exception to the inclusion of his organisation as a party to the function.
GOPIO Waikato President Suman Kapoor organised the programme with the support of the officials and members of the Country Section of New Zealand Indian Associations, Hamilton Kerala Samajam, Hamilton Malayali Association, Indian Cultural Society, Indianz Global Women & Family Group, New Zealand Indian Central Association, New Zealand Sikh Society Hamilton, Ramayan Sanstha Hamilton, Waikato Indian Association and Waikato Muslim Association.
Photo : Sureesh Mehta with Suman Kapoor at the meeting in Hamilton
