Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins has renewed her invitation to women in the Indian community to have their voices heard countrywide with increased representation on various boards and committees of the Government.
Speaking at a meeting of officials of the New Zealand Indian Central Association (NZICA) at her office in Wellington on June 6, she said that there was a pronounced need for closer relationship between women of Indian origin and the Government, including its agencies and commissions.
“I have met many talented women from the Indian community and I strongly believe that there must be wider representation of them in various government bodies and organisations. They must be encouraged to participate in the policy and decision-making process,” she said.
Ms Collins said that she was also keen to promote the younger members of the communities and benefit from their views on various issues.
She had made a similar appeal, speaking at the annual conference of the Women’s Group of the Association in Rotorua on April 6 (Indian Newslink, April 15).
NZICA role
At the Wellington meeting, she said that the Government recognised NZICA as the major Indian Organisation.
“The Association is inclusive and that is its strength,” she said.
National MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Ethnic Affairs Director Mervin Singham, NZIA officials Harshad Patel (President), Bhikhu Bhana (Vice-President), Prakash Biradar (Secretary), Ratilal Champaneri (Former President) and Wellington Indian Association President Mukesh Patel were present at the meeting.
Mr Patel said that the Association favoured multiculturalism and not biculturalism.
He said that while the early settlers were predominantly from Gujarat and Punjab, the Indian community today comprises people from almost all the States and regions of India and that New Zealand as a country should keep pace with the changing demography.
“Established 87 years ago, NZICA is not only the oldest but also the largest Indian organisation representing a majority of Indians in New Zealand,” he said.
Mr Bhana said that the Association would continue to earn its stripes.
Important Treaty
“We support equality and want to ensure that there are no preferences in any way. All of us must respect the Treaty of Waitangi, as it is a very important document and a milestone in New Zealand’s history. The culture and language of Maori should be encouraged at primary school level,” he said.
He said that English should always be the predominant language and quoted media reports as saying that French universities were losing credibility globally as most of the degrees are taught in French and considered a disadvantage.
“At the primary school level, students should have the choice of language including French, Latin, Chinese, Maori or Hindi,” he said.
According to Mr Biradar, the Government is keen to engage in regular dialogue with NZICA to understand the needs and concerns of the community and the measures that can be considered to improve the welfare and progress of the Indian community.
“Mr Mervin will finalise the date and venue for the next meeting and consult us before finalising the agenda,” he said.
This was perhaps the first meeting of its kind held between an organisation that represents the Indian community on a national basis and the Government. Alternatively, it was at least the first meeting, which NZICA brought to the public domain through this newspaper.
The new team that took office about two months ago has done well to hold similar discussions with Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse (see Homelink) and Indian High Commissioner Avanindra Kumar Pandey (see separate story in this section). Another article by former NZICA Secretary Veer Khar, relevant to the subject appears elsewhere in this Section.
The picture appearing here shows Judith Collins with (from left) Ratilal Champaneri, Prakash Biradar, Bhikhu Bhana, Mukesh Patel, Harshad Patel, Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi and Mervin Singham at the meeting held at her office in Wellington on June 6.
