Venu Menon
Wellington, August 15,2023
The Indian High Commission in Wellington today marked the 77th Independence Day with the tricolour being hoisted by the High Commissioner of India to New Zealand Neeta Bhushan, which was followed by the national anthem.
The dignitaries, who included New Zealand Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities Priyanca Radhakrishnan, and guests then took their seats in the High Commission auditorium to witness a cultural programme.
High Commissioner Bhushan led off by reading out Indian President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the nation delivered on Independence eve.
In her address, the President said: “Independence Day reminds us that we are not merely individuals, but we are part of a great community of people. It happens to be the biggest and the greatest community of its kind. It is the community of the citizens of the world’s largest democracy.”
High Commissioner Bhushan quoted the President as saying that, as citizens of India, “each one of us is an equal citizen: each one of us has an equal opportunity, equal rights and equal duties, in this land.”
But it was not always so, the President reminded the nation. “India is the Mother of Democracy and since ancient times we had democratic institutions functioning at the grassroots. But long years of colonial rule wiped them out.”
On 15 August 1947, India had not only won freedom from foreign rule, but also the freedom to rewrite its destiny, the President noted.
India’s freedom struggle, led by Mahatma Gandhi and a “galaxy of extraordinary visionary leaders,” was inspired by its civilisational values, with truth and non-violence at the core, the President said.
These values were bequeathed to “many political struggles around the world,” the President observed in her address.
The President paid tribute to the “known and unknown freedom fighters whose sacrifices have made it possible for India to regain its rightful place in the comity of nations.”
The President saluted “great women freedom fighters like Matangini Hazra and Kanaklata Baruch [who] laid down their lives for Bharat Mata.”
The President added: “Maa Kasturba matched the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, every step of the way on the difficult path of Satyagraha. Many great women like Sarojini Naidu, Ammu Swaminathan, Rama Devi, Aruna Asaf-Ali and Sucheta Kriplani had set inspiring ideals for all future generations of women, to serve the nation and society with self-confidence.”
The President noted that today “women were marking their special place in many fields in which their participation was unimaginable a few decades ago.”
The President observed that India had enhanced its standing in the international order, adding, “During my visits and interactions with the members of the Indian diaspora, I have observed a new confidence in the India story.”
She said India was playing a crucial role in promoting developmental and humanitarian goals around the world and “assumed leadership of international forums, especially the presidency of G-20.”
She said India’s leadership of the G-20 promoted inclusion and participation, kindling enthusiasm in students and citizens at large.
The President described India’s economy as a “beacon of hope for others.”
The global economy was passing through an uncertain phase in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Yet, India had succeeded in recording high GDP growth. “Our Annadata farmers have contributed significantly to our economic growth,” the President noted.
While the global economy was in the grip of inflation, the Indian government and the Reserve Bank had managed to contain it, she pointed out.
The President observed that India scored high on indicators such as ease of doing business as well as welfare initiatives for the needy. She said the indigenous populations were being integrated into the journey of progress. She appealed to “our tribal brothers and sisters to enrich their traditions while embracing modernity.”
She said India had a visionary national education policy which aimed to “merge ancient values with modern skills.”
The President highlighted India’s achievements in space, noting that “ISRO [had] launched Chandrayaan-3, and its lander named Vikram and its rover named Pragyan are slated to land on the moon in the next few days.”
India was prioritising climate action, the President said, and was taking the lead in promoting renewable energy alternatives globally. She applauded the indigenous people for their respect and closeness to nature.
The President concluded her address by saluting “our soldiers guarding the borders, jawans of the forces and the police providing internal security,” as well as “the members of the diaspora living in every part of the world.”
Addressing the gathering, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities Priyanca Radhakrishnan conveyed best wishes on behalf of New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins. She noted that Indian Independence Day was always an opportunity “to honour the sacrifices of those who fought for [the] values of freedom and democracy, for those who stood up and laid their lives on the line, for [the] values that they believed so strongly in.”
The minister said it was also an opportunity “here in Aotearoa” to reflect on the future and to “continue to create a strong economy, where we create jobs that pay decent wages………and move towards a high wage and low carbon economy.”
She acknowledged the contribution made by the Kiwi Indian community to New Zealand. She noted their contribution to the economy was about $10 billion.
The minister referenced the new migrants who struggled to find jobs “that they are well qualified for.” She noted that many [new migrants] are “paid lower than our Pakeha counterparts.”
Radhakrishnan said she felt heartened that Indian High Commissioner Bhushan was working hard towards strengthening the relationship between New Zealand and India, which was “a priority relationship for our government as well.”
A cultural programme of dance and music rounded off the Independence Day celebrations at the High Commission.
Venu Menon is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Wellington
