THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Auckland, August 18: India’s 79th Independence Day was marked with colour, culture and community spirit in Auckland, where dignitaries, including Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, senior ministers, opposition leaders and India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, Neeta Bhushan, joined the celebrations.
The event brought together the Indian diaspora and highlighted the country’s rich traditions through music, dance and cultural showcases.
Bihar-Jharkhand Association Makes Cultural Debut
The Bihar-Jharkhand Association of New Zealand (BJANZ) made its cultural debut with a vibrant performance of Nagpuri songs and folk dances. The presentation captivated the audience and placed the cultural heritage of Bihar and Jharkhand on an international stage.
BJANZ office bearers – President Amit Shankar Verma, General Secretary Rani Singh, Vice President Ritu Kumari, Cultural Secretary Kiran Singh, Community Head Indu Rajasekharan, Treasurer Nishant Lal, Public Relations Officer Preeti Maheshwari and General Manager Shalini Alok – played a key role in organising the event.
Performances Bring Indian Traditions to Life
Performers including Ritu Kumari, Aarti Pandey, Namita Bhardwaj, Avni Rai, Dolly Sharma, Nidhi Shankar Verma, Nishita and Dhananjay showcased traditional Indian art forms with energy and passion, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience.
The celebrations underlined the enduring bond between India and its diaspora, sending a strong message of unity: no matter the distance, cultural roots remain a source of pride and connection.
About BJANZ
The Bihar-Jharkhand Association of New Zealand (BJANZ) is a non-profit community organisation committed to promoting cultural heritage, encouraging social connections and supporting the well-being of the Indian diaspora from Bihar and Jharkhand in New Zealand.
