Staff Reporter –
info@indiannewslink.co.nz
The annual Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards Presentation Ceremony has been growing from strength to strength, attracting increasing number of guests year after year. This sparkling event attracts the country’s leadership and top executives of national and multinational companies, entrepreneurs and a host of others.
The Awards Presentation Ceremony, held at the Sky City Convention Centre in November, is an evening of success stories of scores of large, medium and small businesses and individual achievers. Since its launch in 2008, the Awards Night spotlights the variety of businesses owned, operated, managed and franchised by people of Indian origin in New Zealand.
Exhibition & Networking
The evening commences with an exhibition of Sponsors showcasing their products and services, accompanied by cocktails and canapés. This 65-minute segment also provides a unique opportunity for guests to network, renew contacts and establish new ones.
These Awards are a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of our business community and derives their stature and respect by recognising the spectacular growth story of Indian entrepreneurs over the years.
Dinner & Entertainment
Although constituted and promoted as a primary business event, the Awards Night Ceremony is also an occasion to enjoy quality entertainment and sumptuous dinner, served to the taste of guests at their tables. The entertainment programme comprises cultural performances with a live band that has been a part of the ceremonies since they began in 2008.
Masters of Ceremonies
Television programme presenters and celebrity speakers host our Awards Nights programmes. TV3 ‘Campbell Live’ Host John Campbell (2009), TV 3 News Presenter Caroline Robinson (2010), Former Auckland Mayor Christine Fletcher (2012), Singer & Entertainer Jackie Clarke (2013 and 2016) and Celebrity Speaker Michelle A’Court (2014) have been among our Masters of Ceremonies.
Special Guests
Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards Presentation Ceremonies have the honour and privilege of the presence of several international and national dignitaries. Over the years, they have included the then Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand, Prime Minister John Key, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bill English, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce, Leader of the Opposition (now Andrew Little), Auckland Mayor (now Phil Goff), Members of Parliament, India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand (now Sanjiv Kohli) former Waitakere Mayor Sir Bob Harvey, Former Auckland Mayor Len Brown and many others.
Former West Bengal Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi, Prince of Arcot Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali, former UNIDO Advisor Dr Jebamalai Vinanchiarachi and Gautam Lewis, Chief Executive, Freedom in the Air, London (UK) were our Special Guests from overseas from 2012 to 2016.
As well as enhancing the value of our Awards Programme, our Guests of Honour have also been a source of inspiration and admiration to the business community.
Perfect amalgamation
Businesses run by people of Indian origin in New Zealand are successful as they are a perfect amalgamation of the best business practices of the east and the west.
They are built on a platform of hard work, dedication and determination.
Staying ahead
Indian business owners are good at identifying gaps in the market. Customer demands, if met satisfactorily, can provide businesses with a ready customer base, and the ‘first mover advantage.’
Incorporating new technology in the running of businesses also gives Indian enterprises an edge. It gives the enterprises a contemporary feel whilst retaining the long established tenets of honesty and integrity.
Good recognition
These principles are recognised at the Awards Night as the finalists and winners were announced in 13 individual categories. Special mention of these factors is made of those featured in the Business Excellence in Retail Trade, Innovation, Marketing and Customer Service segments.
Small and Medium-Sized businesses are the backbone of the New Zealand economy.
Many Indians own such enterprises, predominantly as family-operated. These are another example of the importance that the family plays in Indian culture, exhibiting the strong bond formed between family members.
The Awards night highlights this facet by recognising achievers in these categories.
New Zealand was the first country in the world to accord voting rights to women and it is therefore befitting to applaud Indian women who have made their mark in an equitable and open society.
The ‘Best Indian Business Woman of the Year’ Award recognises the contribution made by women to business.
As curtains come down on Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards, the stage is set for next year’s event, which will mark ten years of the Awards Programme.
Awards 2017
Our Awards Programme 2017 will be launched on March 1, 2017 with call for entries, which would close on August 31, 2017. Thereafter, our panel of judges will evaluate the entries and announce the names of finalists and winners at the Tenth Annual Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards scheduled to be held on Monday, November 27, 2016 at Sky City Convention Centre, Auckland City.
Details will appear in Indian Newslink print and web editions and on our Business Awards and Sports Awards websites.
Photo Caption:
- Networking during the cocktail hour is a hallmark of our Awards (Picture by Johanna Blenemann)
- Tibetan Monk Guru Karma Tanpai Gyaltshen Rinpoche honours India’s High Commissioner Sanjiv Kohli at our Awards Night 2016 (Picture by Narendra Bedekar).
