The harvest festival, known by several different names across India – lohri, makar sankranti, pongal, bhogali bihu, uttarayan and poush – was celebrated by various Indian community organisations across New Zealand over the past weekend. And few more are lined up for the coming weekend.
Over thousand people attended the event in Christchurch, which saw traditional jago, giddha dance and bhangra performances, and Minister Poto Williams was the chief guest. It was organised by the Indian NZ Association led by Parminder Kaur and Gurvinder Singh Aulakh, and Radio Balle Balle led by Yitesh Sharma.
A major highlight was the special recognition of the first lohri for a number of newly-weds and families with new-borns. In all, 16 families were recognised.
Similar such celebrations took place in Invercargill, organised for the first-time by the Indian Community in Southland; and in Timaru by the South Canterbury Indian Cultural Society.
In Auckland too, makar sankranti (kite-festival) was organised separately by the Vaishnav Parivar New Zealand, and New Zealand Telugu Association.
Indian President’s greets all Indians abroad on the occasion of lohri, makar sankranti, pongal, bhogali bihu, uttarayan and poush
In his message, the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind said, “I offer my greetings and best wishes to all fellow citizens in India and abroad on the occasion of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Bhogali Bihu, Uttarayan and Poush. India is a land of festivals. The coming festivals, celebrated under different names and forms across the country, are also an occasion to mark our respect for the ceaseless hard work of our farmers. These festivals, symbolising the joy of sharing the new crop with one’s family and community, are intertwined in the soul of the country. All communities celebrate these festivals with the spirit of mutual love, affection and fraternity. Such festivals have an invaluable contribution in the geographical, cultural and emotional unification of the country. I am confident that these festivals will help further strengthen the spirit of peaceful co-existence and unity, and further enhance the prosperity and happiness of the nation.”
(Picture credit: IndianNZ Association of Christchurch and Radio Balle Balle)
-TIN Bureau