Venue changed to Malaeola Community Centre in Mangere, Auckland
Venkat Raman
Auckland, July 31, 2022
The Federation of South Indian Associations New Zealand Inc has announced that it will celebrate the 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence on Sunday, August 14, 2022, at Malaeola Community Centre, located at 16 Waokauri Place in the South Auckland suburb of Mangere.
Federation President Dr Reginald Samuel said that the programme will commence at 6.30 pm and will include speeches, a cultural programme and dinner.
“This is a free event open to all and we invite people from all communities to join us to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the world’s largest democracy. As people of Indian origin, we are extremely proud of our motherland and our forthcoming celebrations will reflect our sentiments. Our Federation is working hard to make the event memorable,” he said.
Reason for changes
Dr Samuel said that the Federation had booked the Mahatma Gandhi Centre about three months ago but the officials of Auckland Indian Association (which owns and manages the Centre) wrote to him on July 20, 2022, cancelling the booking.
“We were surprised at this decision. The letter from the Association advised us that the Auckland Indian Diaspora Group is organising India’s Independence Day celebrations on August 21, 2022, and that the Auckland Indian Association cannot allow two Independence Day celebrations at Mahatma Gandhi Centre within a week of each other. We had to therefore make alternative arrangements,” he said.
Federation General Secretary Narender Reddy Patlola said that after considerable efforts, the Malaeola Community Centre has been booked to conduct the programme.
“There was no venue available for August 13, 2022, and hence we had to opt for Sunday, August 14, 2022. Since the Federation took the decision to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of our homeland’s Independence more than three months ago, members of various Associations of our Federation have been rehearsing to perform different cultural items. It is our duty to ensure that their talents are properly showcased. We cannot and will not disappoint them,” he said.
Homage to Freedom Heroes
Dr Samuel and Mr Patlola said that the Programme will highlight some of the heroes of the Freedom Movement in India and incorporate patriotic songs and dances.
“We believe that it is important to instil the same sense of pride that we have for our mother country in our children. The future generations should know the democratic, social, cultural and traditional values that have made India one of the greatest countries in the world. Celebration of India’s Independence is one of the ways in which we can express our gratitude to the country of our birth,” they said.
“The Federation of South Indian Associations New Zealand was incorporated and registered with the New Zealand government in March 2022. Immediately thereafter, we planned to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence. We seek the support of all people of Indian origin, all Indian associations and groups and all communities in making our forthcoming event on August 14, 2022, successful,” Dr Samuel said.
