Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust, under the visionary leadership of Founders Jeet Suchdev and Roopa Suchdev, celebrated Mother’s Day 2025 across its community centres in Flat Bush, Mt Roskill, and Papakura with heartfelt warmth, cultural connection, and deep appreciation for motherhood. These celebrations were thoughtfully coordinated by the Trust’s dedicated team of volunteers and trustees, including Roshni Chadha, whose collective efforts ensured the events were memorable for all involved.

The festivities began on 5th May at the Flat Bush centre, where South Auckland seniors engaged in a joyful morning of activities including Passing the Ball, poetry recitations, and lively singing and dancing. The event was graced by Dr. Ashraf Choudhary, patron of Bhartiya Samaj, and Avinash Kaur, an upcoming member of the Local Board, whose presence added a special sense of recognition to the occasion. The morning concluded with a shared meal, bringing everyone together in the spirit of community.

On 10th May, celebrations continued at the Mt Roskill War Memorial Hall, attended by several distinguished guests including Dr. Madan Mohan Sethi (Consul General of India in Auckland), Ms. Swagatika Bhuyan, Jessica Phuang (Ethnic Responsiveness Manager, NZ Police), Mr. Bhav Dhillon (Ex-Honorary Consul of India), MP Carlos Cheung, and Youth MP Mahant Aggarwal. The program featured soulful performances by Ruxann and Harika, along with touching messages from senior community members that celebrated the wisdom and contributions of mothers and elders.

The final event took place on 19th May at the Papakura centre during the Trust’s monthly seniors’ meeting. After opening with a prayer and recognising birthdays, the lamp-lighting ceremony set a tone of gratitude. Mrs. Sindhya Kirpalani (Mrs. NZ awardee) shared an inspiring message on motherhood. The event also included beautiful musical tributes from Runa Rai, Gopal Bhatia, and Prakash Kirpalani, followed by engaging dance performances by seniors. A wellness session was led by Sneh, a registered mental health nurse, who addressed key topics like dementia, insomnia, and holistic senior wellbeing.

Spanning all three locations, the events stood as a reflection of Bhartiya Samaj’s continued dedication to uplifting elders, celebrating family values, and fostering inclusive cultural communities across Auckland. –TIN Bureau