The Hindu Elders Federation sets benchmarks as it marks its 17th Anniversary
Venkat Raman
Auckland, July 22, 2024
While Elderly Care and Service have often been emphasised and underscored by the government and social and community organisations, actions usually fall short of promises and plans, to obviate which the elders themselves take action.
The Hindu community deserves credit for taking the primary steps in forming the Hindu Elders Foundation in 2007 (reported in our August 1, 2007 issue). Since then, the Organisation has taken significant strides in elderly care and amusement.
From blood donation camps and marking Hindu, Sikh, Christian and Maori festivals to celebrating the birthdays of its ageing members, the Hindu Elders Foundation has been a veritable source of inspiration and rejoice. It is heartening that our senior men and women continue to render social service, encouraging their younger generations to continue in their footsteps. As they say, “There is hope for the ageing to be looked after.”
Epitome of Care and Service
For 17 years, the Hindu Elders Foundation has been the epitome of care and service. It was therefore heartening to see political and community leaders gathering to celebrate their Annual Day at the Balmoral Community Hall of the Bharatiya Mandi in Balmoral, Auckland on July 7, 2024. Among those who attended the event were ACT List MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar, Judge Ajit Singh, Harnam Singh Golian, former Members of Parliament Kanwaljeet Singh Bakshi (National List), Mahesh Bindra (New Zealand First List) and others.
Foundation Secretary Yatish Wadhera described the atmosphere at the event as ‘very vibrant’ set under the leadership of Satya Prakash Pahuja and his team of very dedicated volunteers.’
“Hindu Elders Foundation was formed on July 7, 2007 and functioned from the Hindu Heritage Centre at Gadsby Road, Mangere. It was a visionary Centre created to be the hub of the Hindus in New Zealand. The Hindu Elders Foundation started its journey under the guidance of Pravin Patel, Dinesh Pahuja and Hemant Prashar, trustees of the Hindu Heritage Centre. The First President Chelliah Shanmuganathan played a key role in the Foundation. However, he died soon after on October 12, 2007.
Since 2007, Satya Prakash Pahuja has been leading the organisation as President.
A musical programme presented by various ethnic groups organised by Rashmi Sharma was a highlight of the 17th Anniversary celebrations, Mr Wadhera said.
Social Cohesion and Inclusion
He said that in its 17-year journey, the Hindu Elders Foundation has been instrumental in serving senior citizens of different backgrounds and ethnicities.
“Besides marking Hindu observances such as Rama Navami, Navratri and Diwali, the Foundation has been celebrating Matariki, Baisakhi, Guru Nanak Jayanti, and Christmas every year. Five years ago, under the leadership of the Late Jyoti Swaroop Dua, the Organisation started uniquely celebrating the Diwali Festival by visiting Rest Homes in the wider Auckland area to distribute presents and organising entertainment programmes for the residents who cannot go out due to their age and health.”
Mr Wadhera said that the interruptions caused by Covid-19 including the longest lockdown in Auckland were unsettling by the Foundation resumed its public activities with a mega event on August 8, 2021.
“Called, Auckland Faag Mahotsav 21, it was held in association with the Indian High Commission at Mahatma Gandhi Centre, Auckland. About 30 community organisations including major senior citizens organisations participate in the Mahotsav,” he said.
Promoting Cultural Values
Festivals such as Faag Mahotsav encourage communities to preserve and promote their traditional and cultural values and impart them to the ensuing generations. Faag celebrates the triumph of good over evil and the onset of spring in India, with the festival differing between towns and villages. The Auckland Faag Mahotsav 2021 provided an opportunity to understand the meaning and purpose of the celebration and enable people to connect to their roots.
During the Auckland floods (January 2023), members of the Foundation, in association with the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh helped in the cleaning and food distribution in the flood-affected areas.
About the Hindu Elders Federation
The formation of the Hindu Elders Federation in 2007, preceded in 2002 by the establishment of Shakthi Seniors) was a harbinger of the welfare of the senior members of the community and more importantly towards the positive aspects of their life.
Indian Newslink has been reporting the activities of the Foundation from time to time.
The following is an extract from Indian Newslink May 2002 Issue:
“A team of 24 proactive sexagenarians have displayed initiative by forming the ‘Shakthi Senior Charitable Trust’ in Pakuranga, Auckland. Their meeting held last month was replete with compassion and enthusiasm rarely seen in meetings of associations and social groups.
Sita Singh, chairperson of the Trust said the basic idea was to offer the elderly in the local community a chance to meet at least once a week, chit-chat and share each other’s joy and sorrow. “The society will provide culturally appropriate services to older migrants of Indian origin and endeavour to meet their various needs besides building a sense of community among diverse cultural backgrounds,” Shanmuganathan said.
According to Budalur Vaidyanath Janaki, a member of the Trust, elderly people feel lonely even in their children’s houses. “However I settled down quickly in New Zealand simply because I could make friends easily with people from all communities. Occasionally we have to change our clothing style to suit the environment too,” she said.
Chelliah Shanmuganathan, who takes an active interest in the Trust, said that several programmes are on the anvil. “Shakthi Seniors is fortunate to have the support of the Manukau City Council and several individuals and organisations. We aim to build a sense of community-shared events for members from diverse cultural backgrounds. We have registered the Trust and have much to achieve,” he said.
The Foundation organised the National Elders Conference under the theme, ‘Old is Gold’ in association with the Hindu Council of New Zealand on October 3, 2009 at the Hindu Heritage Centre in Mangere, Auckland. The Conference attracted most of the senior citizen organisations in New Zealand and government agencies. Indian Newslink provided substantial coverage of the event.
