Venkat Raman
While a majority of chapters of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) remains opaque to the Press in New Zealand, the first and perhaps the only Chapter that is active is GOPIO Waikato based in Hamilton.
Its Founder-President and International Coordinator (Oceania) Suman Kapoor and her husband and current President Pradeep Kapoor organised the tenth anniversary of the organisation at Indian Accent Restaurant in Botany South (Flat Bush) in Auckland on January 7, 2018.
Guests of Honour
Incorporating the celebration was an open conference that shared honest views about GOPIO, its aims and objectives and its relevance to modern New Zealand.
Michael Wood, Ethnic Communities Under-Secretary and elected Labour Member of Parliament from Mt Roskill, National Party Member and Kelston Constituency Contestant Bala Beeram and Bank of Baroda Managing Director Anupam Srivastav were among the Guests of Honour at the ceremony.
Among those who were involved in organising the event were GOPIO Botany Chapter Vice-President and Conference Coordinator Harjit Singh, Conference Secretary and Master of Ceremonies Nivedita Sharma Vij.
Honest Views
It was a refreshing change to hear the candid opinions of GOPIO veteran Davinder Rahal (who is also Chairman of Life Vision Society and a noted philanthropist), his wife Jyoti
Among those who were candid at the event were Davinder Rahal, his wife Jyoti and others.
Trans-Tasman Cooperation
“GOPIO Australia conducted a conference on the theme, ‘Diaspora: Trends, Togetherness and Progress’ in December 2017. It was a rewarding experience to note the solidarity of the members of GOPIO across the Tasman. The theme at the New Zealand Conference is ‘National Vision, Aims, and Common Goals.’ We are confident of moving forward with the participation and patronage of all our members,” Ms Kapoor said, speaking at the Conference.
Among the highlights of the Programme was a dance item by Ratna Venkat.
The Anniversary Celebrations recognised several members of GOPIO.
Among them were Roshan Nauhria (Bharatiya Mandir), Shivani Arora (Shivani Restaurant), Mandeep Singh (Indian Accent Restaurant) and Ravinesh Kumar, Harjit Singh, Ratna Venkat, Nivedita Sharma Vij, Pradeep Kapoor, Sushma Kansal and this Reporter.
Michael Wood (Centre) with Bala Beeram (fourth from left), Suman Kapoor (second from left), Pradeep Kapoor (third from right) and others at the GOPIO Tenth Anniversary and Conference held at Indian Accent Restaurant in Botany South, Auckland on January 7.
(Picture Supplied)
