India’s 71st Republic Day celebrations were held at many places across New Zealand, including a few places in Auckland. While the official Republic Day celebrations took place at the Indian High Commissioner’s residence at Bharat Bhawan in Wellington and at the residence of Hon Consul Bhav Dhillon in Auckland, several other community organisations also celebrated this day in style.

Auckland based one such organisation, Hindu Elders Foundation, celebrated this at Bharatiya Mandir on Balmoral Road on Sunday 24th January. As the name suggests, Hindu Elders Foundation, is an organisation working for the elderly people of Indian community in New Zealand for many years. More than two hundred people took part in the event including several community leaders and representatives of various other organisations. The tricolour flag was hoisted in the Mandir main hall and everyone present stood up to sing National song Vande Matram and later at the end national anthems of New Zealand, Fiji and India took place. The programme started at 11 am and ended around 2 o’clock, which was followed by lunch for all the attendees. The chief guest at the programme was India’s Hon Consul in Auckland, Mr Bhav Dhillon. Several other dignitaries were also present at the event including former National MP Mr Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi. Performers rendered patriotic songs and displayed some extraordinary talent through classical dance performances. Several cultural performances were given by some very talented local performers. A couple of dance performances were given by artists from Nepal and Sri Lanka also. -TIN Bureau