Dinner meeting a fundraiser for Gandhi Nivas

Kaajal Oza Vaidya to speak on April 23

Venkat Raman

Members of the community who stand for measures against family violence and those keen on improving safety at home and in the community, have an opportunity to support a worthy cause, while simultaneously listening to a celebrated speaker and enjoying sumptuous dinner.

Kaajal Oza Vaidya of Gujarat will be the Guest Speaker at the event scheduled to be held at the India Gate Hall (Level 1, above Bikanervala), 23 Eric Baker Place, Papatoetoe on Thursday, April 23, 2015.

Men’s Home

Proceeds of the evening will be in aid of ‘Gandhi Nivas,’ a home for people (mostly men) who are affected by law enforcement authorities in respect of family violence.

Located at 40 Station Road, Otahuhu Gandhi Nivas offers free accommodation, while intervention services are provided by ‘Sahaayta,’ a South Asian Counsellor.

Talented Woman

Ms Vaidya will present ‘Meri Preet, Meri Reet,’ a realty play in Hindi in aid of Gandhi Nivas on April 26 at 730 pm at Green Bay High School Performing Arts Centre, 143 Godley Road, Green Bay.

She is also scheduled to present a Talk Show at the same venue on April 24 at 730 pm.

For tickets and further information, please call Jayesh on 021-1504149 or Jigna Mehta on (09) 6274950.

Known as a Novelist, Columnist, Actor and Speaker, Ms Vaidya reveals the untold and unheard stories of people caught in various crossfires with family, tradition, race, class, gender and culture. She understands the problems of living in challenging societies.

She is credited with 56 books written and published over the past seven years. She has also written essays, plays and poetry and has four audio books in her own voice.

Fearless Speaker

Ms Vaidya is a prolific and prominent writer in Gujarati, inspires people through her spoken and written word and transforms social consciousness of issues affecting women and youth. She is acknowledged for truth, honesty and fearless expression of her ideas and opinions.

Her film ‘Saptapadi’ (with Swaroop Sampat and Manav Gohil) has been seen all over the world, while her play ‘Silver Jubilee’ (written and performed by her) has been staged in India, United Kingdom and United States of America.

About Gandhi Nivas

Ranjna Patel, Director, Nirvana Health Group and East Tamaki Healthcare Group, who initiated the Gandhi Nivas Project with the Counties Manukau Police more than a year ago, said that Sahaayta contacts bound persons to provide intervention.

“The services include planning safety strategies to reduce the likelihood of family violence. Bound persons are offered free accommodation for the duration of the Police Safety Order, access to further Stopping Violence Services (SVS) and information about other services they can access. The SVS approach is based on enabling people to take responsibility and be accountable for their behaviour,” she said.

Gandhi Nivas will cater to men of Indian origin in first stage and later work with Vic Tamaki (who now works for the ‘It is Not OK Campaign and helps the Police on measures to combat family violence) for Maori and Pacific Island communities.

Mrs Patel said that Gandhi Nivas aims to support measures addressing the rising menace of family violence.

Supporting victims

“We established this home with an initial grant from the Lotteries Board. The aim is to support victims of abuse by ensuring that the perpetrator complies. It makes available accommodation accompanied by brief counselling and coordination support,” she said.

According to Mrs Patel, this is an opportunity for the perpetrator to participate in a self-management course delivered by Sahaayta.

“For a pending Protection Order, Sahaayta has access to a South Asian Counsellor who contacts the perpetrator the following morning and offers support counselling. They can access accommodation for the required short term of up to five days at a designated house,” she said.

The New Zealand Police introduced PSO in 2010.

It is order issued by police officers at occurrences where there is, or has been, family violence. An order can be issued on the spot and be in force for up to five days.

The Board of Governance of Gandhi Nivas comprises Ranjna Patel, New Zealand Police National Strategic Ethnic Advisor Rakesh Naidoo, Senior Sergeant Sharon Price, Sergeant Gurpreet Arora, Total Healthcare Executive Officer Mark Vella, Psychiatrist Dr David Codyre and Counties Manukau District Police South Asian Advisory Board Member Venkat Raman.

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Photo Caption:

1. Kaajal Oza Vaidya