Three community leaders receive Birthday Honours

Three persons of Indian origin have been featured in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List, marking the Diamond Jubilee of her reign.

They are Davinder Rahal, Syed Mujeeb, (both from Auckland) and Nirmala Devi Nand of Palmerston North.

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburg and husband of the Queen Elizabeth II has been made Additional Member of the Order of New Zealand, the highest honour bestowed by the country.

Although issued in the name of the British Queen and honoured by the Governor General of New Zealand, the recommendation of recipients in various honours categories are actually made by the New Zealand Government.

Among the others receiving top honour are Dame Margaret Clara Bezley, Sir Peter Jackson (Wellington), Dame Malvina Lorraine Major (Hamilton) for their services to New Zealand.

Former Finance Minister Dr Michael Cullen has been made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to the State.

Sir Cullen is currently Deputy Chairman of New Zealand Post.

Community Leader

Davinder Singh Rahal is an acknowledged leader of the Sikh community and a successful businessman in the hospitality industry. Migrating to New Zealand in 1988, he was involved in the construction of Gurdwaras in Bombay Hills and Papatoetoe in South Auckland.

He is Chairman of the ‘New Zealand Helping Hand Society Inc, a charitable, voluntary and not-for-profit organisation and President of the Auckland South Chapter of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO).

He is also the Founder-Member of the Auckland Sikh Society, New Zealand Guru Ravidas Sabha Inc and the Supreme Sikh Council New Zealand Inc.

“I am deeply touched and honoured by the award of QSM,” Mr Rahal said.

Helping Migrants

Serving the migrant communities in general and offering assistance and help to new arrivals in particular are among the qualities that distinguish Nirmala Devi Nand of Palmerston North.

She moved with her family from her native Fiji in 2003 and since then, Mrs Nand is a Health Promotion Advisor at the Public Health Unit of the Mid-Central District Health Board in Palmerston North.

She has also been involved in several community and voluntary organisations as member and office-bearer. Notable among them are Manawatu Multicultural Council, Palmerston North Indian Cultural Society (both as President), Manawatu Newcomers Network (Chairperson), Palmerston North City Council Creative Communities Funding Committee (Member) and Niu Pasifika Advisory Group (Secretary).

I believe in my own philosophy, “Whatever you do, do it from your heart, give all you can to the needy but never expect a return. Someone up above is always watching and you will get what you deserve, if not sooner than later,” she said.

Popular Journalist

A Journalist by profession, Syed Mujeeb is known for his services to the Muslim community. As the General Secretary of the ‘Urdu Hindi Cultural Association of New Zealand,’ he organises programmes for poetry and poets, apart from participating in a number of social and community projects.

Mr Mujeeb said that serving the community and people of all religions and cultures was his passion.

“This Award is a big honour to me, my family and my community. I never thought that I would be recognised by the Government. I will continue to serve the people of various communities in New Zealand,” he said.

Photo : The Queen and the Duke of Edinburg at Buckingham Palace

(Picture by Julian Calder of London)