The Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards (IBA) 2010 Award Presentation Ceremony held on November 15 was a superb occasion, as it has been since inception.
To me one of the special features of these awards was not just simply the Indian community recognising the best achievements of its own, but understanding and recognising just how much the wider Indian community contributes to the New Zealand economy.
Congratulations to all this year’s winners, and to all those who were nominees; for its sheer hard work and business skills and acumen, the Indian business community has no equal.
Many Indian businesses have continued to make progress, and go from strength to strength, despite the current difficult economic environment. This is a tribute to the determination and ability of those who manage them.
When I visit local schools in my Mt Roskill electorate and attend their annual prize givings, I see Indian students excelling and preparing to go on to tertiary studies to develop their skills. They will become the Indian business and community leaders of the future, so I am confident that the influence of the Indian business sector will continue to grow.
Part of the success and strength of Indian business is certainly due to the strength of the Indian community itself.
Over the past few weeks, I have attended some eight Diwali festivals. Given the numbers attending, almost every member of the Indian community turned out at these events. That is the real strength of the Indian community, supporting and embracing its culture and heritage.
The Indian news media can take a good deal of credit for this continued community cohesion and strength. The Indian media keeps its community well informed of issues that affect it and that make it special.
The annual Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards exemplify this contribution by the Indian media.
I congratulate Ravin Lal and Venkat Raman, respectively Managing Director & Publisher and Editor of Indian Newslink for their unfailing determination to back the Indian community and its businesses and to make the Awards Night even more impressive each year.
I believe the success of the award winners will be an inspiration to others Indian businesses to follow in their footsteps. As the Awards Night gathers more and more prestige, it is also being noticed and admired by other parts of the New Zealand business community. Congratulations to all those involved,
The Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards are becoming a landmark occasion for business in New Zealand.
Phil Goff is Leader of the Opposition in New Zealand. The picture here shows him with Sussan Turner, Managing Director of Media Works (which owns TV3) and Joanne Godinho, winner of the Best Businesswoman of the Year Award (Picture by Narendra Bedekar).
