I arrived in New Zealand in 1999 and this is my 13th Year as a New Zealander.
It is also the 13th Anniversary of Indian Newslink.
I would therefore always remember our arrival year and the commencement year of this newspaper in New Zealand.
My Heartiest Congratulations to the Indian Newslink family on its successful 13th Anniversary.
Reading Indian Newslink for so many years and knowing many people who read the newspaper and appreciating its increasing value reinforces its importance.
Newspapers boost the economy through advertising.
This also showcases the businesses in our community, which in turn provides jobs. It also provides advertisers a good avenue to reach their existing and potential customers.
Indian Newslink helps various communities get to know each other a little better. It also provides an opportunity and a forum for expression within the Community.
Scope for improvement
However, there is scope for the voices of the community to be heard more effectively by the concerned authorities. Issues that affect the community and its future must be more powerfully and vocally expressed in the newspaper.
Indian Newslink should serve as a watchdog for bettering the lives of the people in the communities it serves.
I am pleased that the management, editorial team and staff of Indian Newslink know the pulse of the community.
Sharing values
Hence, this publication is able to share community values and understand the community, of which it is an integral part.
It is also commendable that the newspaper does not have leanings to political parties, business owners, groups or faith communities.
This is very important for a newspaper to be acceptable to everyone in the community.
Indian Newslink is much more than graphics, images, words and print as a community newspaper.
The Company organises the annual Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards, the Indian Newslink Sir Anand Satyanand Lecture and the Indian Newslink Indian Sports Awards and publishes the Indian Newslink Fastfind Indian Business Directory.
These are contributions in various aspects of community life that are commendable.
This publication provides a valuable form of service to the community.
Growing readership
Its role is very important and I am sure that the members of the community are encouraged to read the newspaper which is demonstrated by 15,000 copies of its print edition, with a readership of more than 60,000 every fortnight, augmented by more than 25,000 readers of its web edition per issue.
I am sure that Indian Newslink is poised for greater growth and I wish the newspaper all the best in years to come.
Wenceslaus Anthony is Chairman and Managing Director of the WAML Group, Director of Pact Industries PTY Limited in Australia, Director on the Board of Bank of Baroda (New Zealand) Limited, Chairman of the India New Zealand Business Council. He is also the Chairman of the Mother Teresa Interfaith Committee, a Member of the Board of Directors of Catholic Caring Foundation, Chairperson of the Divine Retreat Centre Movement in New Zealand, Advisor to the Vailankanni Committee to celebrate the feast of the Birthday of Mother Mary and Director of Conquest Club, which aims to shape the character and personality of young boys in the 8-14 age group.
The picture appearing here shows Lok Sabha (India’s Lower House of Parliament) Meira Kumar presenting him a momento at a function held at Langham Hotel in Auckland on May 13, 2012.