The Dunedin Indian Association (DIA) organised an event to celebrate the Indian independence day — officially August 15 — at the University of Otago Union Hall yesterday.
A flag-hoisting ceremony was followed by cultural performances and speeches from guests.
DIA and HSSS member Vimal Kumar Sharma said India was a massive country with many different cultures and religions but all Indians came together to celebrate its independence day.
He said yesterday’s celebration of India’s independence day was a chance for the Indian community in Dunedin to connect with one another.
It helped immigrants feel at home away from home.
Mr Kumar said he remembered feeling homesick when he first arrived in New Zealand in 2015 until he went to a celebration of Diwali in Auckland.
"I spent about seven hours at the Diwali function and met lots of new people."
Mr Kumar said he made connections with people he was still friends with.
"Those connections helped us with practical things like finding a home to live in."
He felt fortunate to be able to celebrate his culture in Dunedin.
Yesterday’s celebration brought back a lot of memories of his days in India, like waking up to the sound of patriotic anthems his father, who served the Indian Army for 28 years, would play first thing in the morning.
The Hindu Swayam Sevek Sang (HSSS), the Tamil Society, the Punjabi Society and volunteers from the Sathi Association of Dunedin also helped bring the event together.
