High Commissioner Shri Muktesh Pardeshi and Mrs. Rakhi Pardeshi hosted a grand reception and cultural event to commemorate the 72nd Republic Day of India in Wellington.
It was graced by the presence of Ministers Hon. Michael Wood, Hon. Priyanca Radhakrishnan MP; Former Governor-General, Rt. Hon. Sir Anand Satyanand; Members of Diplomatic Corps; MPs Hon. Dr. Gaurav Sharma, Hon. Greg O’Connor – MP for Ōhāriu, Hon. Paul Eagle MP, Hon. Ibrahim Omer, Hon. Chris Bishop; His Worship the Mayor of Wellington Andy Foster; His Worship the Mayor of Palmerston North Grant Smith; Councillor Shazly Rasheed representing Mayor of Hutt City; Mr. Andrew Needs representing MFAT; Commissioner of Police Mr. Andrew Coster, Hon. Consul of India in Auckland Mr. Bhav Dhillon and representatives business, culture, media, and Indian community.
Students of Natraj School of Dance, Shivam Dance Academy, and NZ Community of Youth Ambassadors presented Indian classical and fusion dance items (Bharatanatyam and Maori Kapa Haka).
High Commissioner felicitated Hon. Priyanca Radhakrishnan, the first-ever Minister of Indian origin in NZ Government on conferment of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2021 for her contribution to public life.
