Venkat Raman
Auckland, August 2, 2021
About 700 men and women from across European, Maori, Pacific Islands, Indian, Fiji Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan and Nepali communities gathered to applaud winners at the Seventh Annual Indian Newslink Sports, Community, Arts and Culture Awards held yesterday (Monday, August 2, 2021) at Mahatma Gandhi Centre.
Transport, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood, Auckland Mayor Phil Goff, ACT Party Leader and Deputy Leader David Seymour and Brooke van Velden, Labour MPs Dr Anae Neru Leavasa and Helen White, National MPs Mark Mitchell, Scott Simpson, Simon O’Connor and Simeon Brown, Directors of National Party and community leaders were among those present. Deputy Prime Minister and Sport and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson, who could not attend the event, sent his good wishes to the organisers.
A resounding First
It was for the first time in New Zealand that an Awards Programme was open to South Asian and Fijian communities, inviting nominations from people of Indian, Fiji Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan and Nepali communities. Five sporting heroes of yesteryears were honoured with as many achievers from among current players in various fields.
Simeon Brown welcomed the gathering, while Michael Wood, Phil Goff, David Seymour, Mark Mitchell, Scott Simpson and New Zealand Indian Central Association President and Immediate Past President Paul Patel and Bhikhu Bhana paid tributes to the South Asian and Fiji Indian people and acknowledged their contributions in sports, community, arts and culture sectors.
An inimitable platform
“Indian Newslink has created an inimitable platform to applaud achievers across so many areas in our communities. This Awards Ceremony demonstrates the hard work and selfless service of so many people and we are proud of them,” they said.
Chairmen, Chief Executives and top officials of several major companies including our Sponsors will be present along with community leaders and volunteers.
The entertainment segment will feature Classical dances of South, North and North-Eastern India, Sri Lanka, as well as contemporary film music and dance.
Details of the winners in various categories and entertainers with pictures are featured in the ensuing pages. Pictures by Narendra Bedekar of Creative Eye Fotographics, sponsored by Focus Group
