Celebration attracts thousands

The Diamond Jubilee Year Republic Day of India has been celebrated in grand style.

The event, held on January 24 at the Telstra Clear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau, was organised by Bhartiya Samaj, a charitable trust, in partnership with 25 other Indian culture based organisations.

More than 3000 people, including a number of dignitaries, community leaders and members of parliament, attended the function which began with India's flag being raised by former Manukau mayor Sir Barry Curtis.

The flag hoisting ceremony included a colourful parade from many ethnic groups and culminated with everybody gathering in the auditorium for the cultural function.

Bhartiya Samaj and partner organisations decided to honour five people by presenting citations to them. They were recognised for their work in New Zealand and for making New Zealand Indians feel proud.

Those honoured were Ruth Desouza for social work, Dr Chellaraj Satyadas Benjamin for his medical services to New Zealand, Samoa, Fiji and Tonga, Praveen Patel for more than 20 years of community service, Dr Debes Bhattacharya for his academic contribution and community work over the last 15 years and Dr Mavina Vamanmurthy, a mathematical genius who was posthumously honoured for his contributions to a number of countries.

The celebrations included food, stalls, folk dances, songs, traditional Indian classical dances, Bollywood items and national songs were sung by Salim Zaman.

- © Fairfax NZ News