While India officially gained independence from the British on August 15, 1947, Bhartiya Samaj Queenstown Charitable Trust marked the 76th anniversary a couple of days early at the Lake Hayes Pavilion, rounding off a weekend of cultural celebrations.
Bhartiya Samaj Queenstown treasurer Amit Sethi said after India got its freedom, it became the biggest democratic country in the world, and had continued to develop and succeed.
"India has progressed in diverse fields by achieving freedom — a lot of Indians have migrated to other countries and showcased their culture, their diversity ... the food, the people, cricket."
Trust president Mangal Behal said this was the seventh year Queenstown’s Indian community had gathered to celebrate their independence day, and it continued to grow in popularity.
A new event on the trust’s calendar, the Haryali Teej Celebrations, a women-only event, proved a resounding success on Saturday night.
Mr Behal said they expected about 80 women to attend, but about 150 turned up.
Teej was a Hindu festival celebrated by many women in India and Nepal to welcome the monsoon season and remember the reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the couple whose description in every Hindu mythological text teaches how people should act in a relationship.
The Queenstown event attracted attendees from as far north as Auckland, while several women travelled from Wanaka and Cromwell to attend, Mr Behal said.,
Along with organising other events, such as the ever-popular Diwali, which last year attracted more than 2000 people, the trust was also involved in social services, including welfare and mental health support.
Mr Sethi said at the heart of their organisation was ensuring they created opportunities to bring different cultures together and celebrate.
"It’s not only about the Indian community ... we have open arms to everybody."
