Indian association Manukau (IAMNZ) organised an event to discuss about the End of life choice and cannabis legalisation & control referendum. The programme focussed on creating community awareness and education around the referendums through different presentations and mediums to put across the information for the upcoming general elections. The event was held at 25 Tui road, Papatoetoe. Event was sponsored by Community Action on Youth and Drugs and covered by Apna TV.
The programme aimed at empowering the community with information while encouraging people to educate themselves about the different aspects involved in the referendums. The event was graced by the leader of the Act party Mr David Seymour who explained further about the End of life choice bill whilst clarifying the common concerns around it. Mr. Bhav Dhillon; Honorary Consul of India also graced the gathering and enunciated the importance of community gatherings to create awareness in the society. Senior Pasifika Library specialist Ms Leota Meredith of the Pasifika of the Papatoetoe war memorial library also shared her valuable opinion on the referendums emphasising the family structure values of Pasifika and Indian community. Mr Gatluak Choul; the operations manager of the Aotearoa resettled community coalition also expressed his thoughts on the importance of the community in a democracy.
President of IAMNZ Dr Primla Khar shared her views on the significance of referendums and also stressed on the importance of voting.
The vast array of opinions were presented by different people on referendum.
Dr Manisha Dullu shared information on cannabis legalisation and control with the community while Mrs Jatinder Sidhu shared her views on the end of life choice referendum. The youth also presented their perspective with Aarushee Kaul speaking at length on her views on the cannabis legalisation and control referendum.
Mr Kulbir Singh, the president of the Punjabi Cultural Sssociation, spoke about various aspects to be considered for the referendums. Mr Anurag Rasela who is a leading developer explained on how this referendums can influence the structure of the society.
The event also showcased a play titled “Is it for me?” enacting various aspects involved in the referendums to create awareness in the community whilst also explaining the importance of gathering the right information. The play was written by Mehak Sharma and Directed by Aman Kharbanda of the theatre company “The Urban Bioscope”. It highlighted the differing opinions and point of views of the people in the community which frame their respective decisions. The dialogue was created to bring to fore the contrasting and conflicting ideologies and hence inspiring people to refer to various sources of information before voting. The play was also an opportunity to bring together people from various age groups in this play ensuring elders in the community are also on the centre stage. – by Indian Association Manukau New Zealand