Thakur Ranjit Singh
Auckland, October 30, 2022
The International Day for Elder People and Fiji Day celebration was a huge success at A1 Event Centre in Papatoetoe, Auckland on October 16, 2022.
More than 200 Fiji Indian elders from South Auckland Seniors, Auckland Fiji Indian Seniors, Shivarchan Seniors and Waitakere Seniors came together in an event supported and coordinated by Fiji Girmit Foundation New Zealand.
The day began with the arrival of various Senior groups who were allocated tasks to provide snacks such as Bhajia, Gulgula, Dhokara, Bhuja, Samosa, Spring rolls and fried cassava. They filled up the snack tables which were overflowing with goodies. Kava flowed freely to keep people chatting and networking. The sumptuous lunch was just so beautiful and mouth-watering, with such huge quantity, variety and overpowering taste.
Sam Achary, Chairperson of Trustees of Fiji Girmit Foundation New Zealand welcomed the gathering and congratulated Fiji Indian Seniors for coming together to make historical cooperation and work collectively.
Awareness of health issues
The formal programme included talks on health issues, stroke, heart diseases, health well-being, bowel cancer, and general advice on healthy and graceful ageing.
It was meant as a day for the Seniors, by the Seniors and of the Seniors. They took the centre stage, with information on what they do, the lessons for other groups, their officials, strengths for other Seniors to share, means of accessing funding, and various other steps.
The President of the well-organised South Auckland Seniors, Vijendra Prasad, led the informative and inspirational talk. This was followed by an entertainment item of Birha by Vice-President Surendra Prasad. Thereafter, Auckland Fiji Indian Seniors, led by its President, Narendra Prasad and supported by officials Vinod Gopal and Nek Mohammed took the stage. It was followed by entertainment by renowned singer Jagdish Punja who had flown from Wellington to entertain the Seniors.
Shivarchan Seniors was represented by its hardworking Secretary Latchmi Naidu, supported by Master Shankar. In the theme of Fiji Day, women from their group rocked the floor and brought Fiji to us with their Chulu Lulu Fijian song.
Combined Birthday marked
Jai Chand, former Executive of Southeast Auckland Seniors and the Senior Liaison to Manurewa Local Board, gave a very informative discourse on Civil Defence, dignified ageing, health, well-being and many issues affecting elders.
The final speech on behalf of the Seniors was given by Waitakere Seniors President Rameshwar Dutt and Secretary Thakur Ranjit Singh, who briefly spoke about their organisation. And then, a combined surprise birthday celebration for Seniors born in October was held. The birthday cake was cut, and happy birthday and other songs were sung to celebrate the birthday of Raj Kumar from South Auckland Seniors, Parvati Pushpa and Vidya Prasad from Waitakere Seniors and Jag Narayan Sharma, Rukh Mani Singh, Praveen Lal and Phul Kuar from Auckland Fiji Indian Seniors.
Soul-filling songs and entertainment
Thereafter, the stage and heart-stealer programme was set by Seniors of Waitakere, led by me (Thakur Ranjit Singh) his wife Shashi Shankar Singh, Semi Shankar and his wife Jasma Shankar, Kamal Prasad and his wife Vidya Prasad, Dharam Singh and his wife Latika Dutt. They danced to the evergreen song of Dilip Kumar-Vyjayanthimala starrer film, Naya Daur (1957) ‘Udein Jab Jab Zulfen Teri.’
That song set the tone for the entertainment segment.
Rameshwar Dutt and Jagdish Punja provided lunchtime karaoke amusement, which attracted energetic elder dancers to the floor, dancing to thrilling musical numbers and shaking the stage. The video of this has also gone viral and people who missed can see what they denied themselves.
After the dances, Seniors were mesmerised and thrilled by a magic show from Chandrika Prasad, a former executive of Southeast Auckland Seniors Association and the day on a joyful note.
It was a very fruitful programme; there was never a dull moment.
Thanks to Sam Achary and President of Fiji Girmit Foundation New Zealand Krish Naidu and his energetic team of volunteers, and the A1 Event Centre owner and sponsor Harold Deo, Otara Papatoetoe and Mangere-Otahuhu Local Boards for making this first such function of Fiji Indians a success. Thanks are also due to other sponsors Annes Funeral and Onsite Cremations, A1 Safety Packaging, Pan Pacific and Kiwi Supersaver.
Biannual event mulled
The heads of Fiji Indian Seniors will be meeting soon to carve out a biannual function.
The organisers hope that Shri Ram Mandir Seniors and Southeast Auckland Seniors will also come on board and give their members an opportunity to participate in the programme.
The emphasis throughout this article has been on Fiji Indian Seniors.
We are a distinct race of Pacifica people and need to be recognised as such.
Fiji Indians in general and Fiji Indian Seniors in particular in Auckland feel that they miss out on most resources available including funding.
According to an estimate, there are about 250,000 people of Indian origin in New Zealand, of which about 40% are from Fiji. Therefore, this show of unity is a step in the right direction.
Thakur Ranjit Singh is a journalist, media commentator and blogger. He is working in the Fiji- Indian community to enhance unity, recognition and justice in the allocation of funding for Fiji- Indian organisations.
