A unique camp for Hindu community volunteers

PRESS RELEASE (26 Oct 2010)

A unique camp for Hindu community volunteers and their families

A distinctive two-day Hindu Heritage Camp was organized by Hindu Council of New Zealand for the Hindu community volunteers and their families. The camp was primarily organised to bring the volunteers and their families together, and to enrich their children with age-old traditions and culture. The camp was held at the Karanga Camp site, Waitakere ranges, Auckland from 22 to 24 October 2010. Volunteers of Hindu Youth Foundation and Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh also participated in the camp.

So far, twelve such youth and family camps have been organised by the Hindu Council of New Zealand in association with like-minded organisations. The popularity of the camps can be measured by the increasing number of participants in each camp, a healthy sign of the growing volunteer spirit among Hindus in New Zealand.

“This camp provides a very good opportunity for Hindu community volunteers and their families from all over New Zealand, to come closer and interact with each other in an informal environment” said Ms Sonali Hegde, Central Secretary of Hindu Council of New Zealand and the coordinator of this camp.

“The activities are aimed at team building and involve attendees from all age groups, in the midst of beautiful natural surroundings that New Zealand is known for” she added.

On the first day of this year’s camp, morning activities included yoga classes conducted by Ms Mamta Bhikha and memory/intellect games organised by Kishor Mistry. During the day, participants enjoyed bush walks and tramps in the Waitakere ranges. In the afternoon, Art and Craft workshops by Ms Komal Shah and Vedic Mathematics sessions by Murali Magesan (a member of Rotorua District Youth Council) were very much appreciated by both parents and children.

In the evening, the camp participants enjoyed traditional Indian games aimed at building physical, mental and social abilities, and fostering the sense of playing, living and working together. The elder participants then attended group discussions and deliberations on the Hindu society’s contributions to New Zealand. This was followed by a quiz on “Hindu culture and heritage”. Later in the evening, everyone gathered around a bonfire at 9.30 pm.

Next morning, following the yoga classes, all participants enjoyed a Treasure Hunt organised by Ms Sonali Hegde, Mr Sridhara Mysore, Ms Mamta Bhikha and Mr Chandra Shekhar Monga.

More than 50 members from the Hindu community attended the camp. The food, accommodation and general arrangements were organised by Shrikant Bhave, Vishram Wadnerkar, Kishor Mistry, Chandra Shekhar Monga, Hanumanth Rao and other volunteers of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh. During the closing ceremony, 50 visiting members from the Hindu Elders Foundation reviewed the current camp and suggested future improvements.

Hindu Council of New Zealand has been working for the community in New Zealand since 1996. The Council strives for the ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family). The aims include to preserve and promote Bharatiya culture and heritage; to create awareness amongst Hindus of their glorious history, rich traditions and universal Dharma; to cultivate the spirit of self respect for themselves, and to bestow respect for the people of all colours, creeds, races and religions; to encourage and assist non Hindus in the study of Hindu culture and customs; to encourage Hindu community to be true citizens of New Zealand; to participate in social and community activities such as blood donation, planting of New Zealand native trees, and preserving environment; and to celebrate historically important days, and festivals of Bharat.

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