Divinity adds sparkle to our Business Awards Ceremony

Venkat Raman –
venkat@indiannewslink.co.nz

The Ninth Annual Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards Ceremony held on Monday, November 28, 2016 at Sky City Convention Centre in Auckland City was unique in many respects, among the foremost of which was the presence of a number of important people from overseas.

Foremost among them was Acharya Guru Karma Tanpai Gyaltshen Rinpoche, a Tibetan Monk, who had travelled specially for the event, upon the suggestion of international photographer and Indian Newslink Columnist Ashok Kochhar (who lives in Hamilton) and his Delhi based son Praveer.

Himalayan Monk

Soon after his arrival, the Acharya took the role of a host, meeting and greeting people. He was the first to welcome Prime Minister John Key at the Convention Centre and honour him with a silk shawl with distinct hallmarks of Buddhism.

“I congratulate you on your achievement of peace, prosperity and equality of extraordinary New Zealand. I am pleased to be here and attend this glittering ceremony to recognise and reward Indian businesses,” he told Mr Key.

Born at the Holy Mountain Kailash, Guru Tanpai completed his education in India, he joined the traditional three-year, three-month retreat for intensive meditation practice of enlightenment and an additional one-year retreat practising Hevajra and Kalachakra. This was under the supreme guidance of His Holiness the 16^th Gyalwa Karmapa and His Eminence Bokar Rinpoche as retreat Master with 16 outstanding students in the retreat center situated above Rumtek monastery, in Sikkim, India.

Then he became an authentic Master of Meditation and Enlightenment.

We will carry another report on Guru Tanpai in our next issue.

Guests of Honour

Rennu Paatil, a business and education consultant based in Mumbai, Craig Tozler, Chief Executive and Main Franchisee of Oporto Limited based in Australia and a few other businesspersons from other parts of India were present at the event.

Among the Guests of Honour were Prime Minister John Key, Leader of the Opposition Andrew Little, Police & Corrections Minister Judith Collins, Ethnic Communities Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-liga, Commerce and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith Auckland Mayor Phil Goff, India’s High Commissioner to New Delhi Sanjiv Kohli, Freedom in Air, London (UK) Chief Executive Gautam Lewis, Green Party Co-Leader James Shaw, ACT Party Leader David Seymour, BNZ Chairman Dough McKay, BNZ Managing Director & Chief Executive Anthony Healy, 2degrees Mobile Limited Chief Executive Stewart Sherriff and former Reserve Bank of New Zealand Dr Don Brash.

Several Members of Parliament representing various political parties were also present along with about 1100 corporate leaders, professionals and others.

They were seen networking, exchanging information and ideas and looking forward to business deals, which was one of the primary objectives of the ceremony, apart from recognising and rewarding success.

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