IAMNZ plans World Democracy Day
Venkat Raman
Auckland 25, 2022
The Indian Association Manukau New Zealand (IAMNZ) has announced that it would celebrate the 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence on August 15, 2022.
Association President Dr Primla Khar said that the event, scheduled to begin at 6.30 pm and will include networking, speeches, a cultural programme and dinner.
Entry to the event is by ticket, the details of which can be obtained by email: secretary@inzone.org.nz
The celebrations will be held at ‘Diversity Centre,’ a purpose-built facility owned and managed by the Indian Association Manukau New Zealand. It is located at 25 Tui Road in Papatoetoe.
World Democracy Day
“India is the world’s largest democracy and our freedom fighters and elders struggled to secure independence from the British Raj. India’s independence also put an end to colonisation elsewhere in the world. Over the past 75 years, India has practised the tenets of democracy and achieved unity in diversity. We will celebrate August 15 as World Democracy Day” Dr Khar said.
She said that Indians in New Zealand are proud of their homeland and that Republic Day (January 26) and Independence Day (August 15) are two great occasions that should be observed by all communities.
“The Independence Day celebrations organised by IAMNZ is open to all,” Dr Khar said.
In his speech to the Indian community in Munich, Germany on June 26, 2022, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said described Indians as the ‘true Ambassadors of India.’
True Ambassadors
“The expectations from you have increased even more in the ‘Amrit Kaal’ of Independence i.e., in the next 25 years. You are also the success story of India and also the brand ambassador of India’s successes. Therefore, I always tell my Indian brothers and sisters spread across the world that they are the national ambassadors. There are a few ambassadors in the government system, whereas I have crores of ambassadors who are taking my country forward,” he said.
Mr Modi said that all Indians are celebrating Amrit Mahotsav, 75 years of independence this year. In the 75th year of independence, India is witnessing unprecedented inclusiveness and millions of aspirations being affected by it, he said.
“India today is full of unprecedented possibilities. Under the leadership of a strong, stable and decisive government, India is dreaming new dreams, taking new resolutions and working hard to realise those resolutions. Our policy is clear and there is a strong commitment to reforms. Where we have to reach after five years is also decided and the roadmap for self-reliance for the next 25 years, when the country will celebrate the centenary of independence, is ready,” he said.
Obeisance to freedom fighters
Mr Modi said that the country bows on the pious festival of the Amrit Mahotsav of freedom, to all its freedom fighters and brave heroes who continue to sacrifice themselves day and night in the defence of the nation.
“The country is remembering every personality, including the revered Bapu (Mahatma Gandhi), who made freedom a mass movement, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, who sacrificed everything for freedom, or great revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh, Chandrasekhar Azad, Bismil and Ashfaqulla Khan; Rani of Jhansi Lakshmibai, Queen Chennamma of Kittur or Rani Gaidinliu or the valour of Matangini Hazra in Assam; the country’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who integrated the country into a united nation, and Baba Saheb Ambedkar, who determined and paved the way for the future direction of India. The country is indebted to all these great personalities,” he said.
