NZ Indians

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

Saturday, 7 June 2003

VENUE: GANDHI HALL, GIBSON STREET, ROTORUA.

Meeting commenced at 1.30 pm.

1. Present Members: Prithipal Singh, Ashok B Darji, Ratilal Champaneri, Kishor Morarji, Nanubhai (Paul) Patel, Ishvarbhai Rambhai, Krishna Lal Pragji, Naginbhai G. Patel, Bharatbhai Bhana, Paul Singh Bains

2. Life Members: Chhotubhai Sima, Ganges Singh, Harbans Singh Randhawa, Harkrishan Singh Kung, Bhuladas Bhakta, Ravjibhai Uka

3. Observers: Beant Singh Jador, Balbir Singh Bhatti, Madanjit Singh Bange & Hasmukhbhai Chhagan.

4. Welcome: NZICA President Mr Prithipal Singh welcomed all the members to the beautiful Sulphur City Rotorua. Prithipal Singh mentioned to the meeting that the patients required by all the Executive members as he would like to touch on following topics, Ram Lila, Dual Citizenship, Bhartiya Pravasi Diwas 2004. President Prithipal Singh acknowledged the sad loss of one of our life member Kantibhai Vasan also acknowledged the contribution made by Kantibhai Vasan. Prithipal Singh mentioned that the deepest sympathy goes to Vasan family on sad loss of Kantibhai and may Kantibhai's soul rest in peace and may God grant the strength to Vasan family to bear the loss. President Prithipal Singh requested all members to stand and to observe two minutes silence.

Host President Krishnalal Pragji welcomed the NZICA Executive members, Delegates and Life members. Krsihnabhai briefed the members on today’s events and expressed his views on fruitful and smooth run of today's meeting.

President Prithipal Singh requested life member Harbans Singh Randhawa to say few words on Kantibhai Vasan. In reply Harbans Singh enlightened all the members that Kantibhai and the executives worked together as team. Sad to see him to go, Kantibhai worked very hard and made tremendous contribution to entire Indian Community. We pray for his soul rest in peace and expressed his sincere and deepest sympathy towards Vasan Family.

Life member Chhotubhai Sima mentioned to the members that we all have lost very young and kind person toady and expressed his deepest sympathy to Vasan Family.

Naginbhai G Patel, Ishvarbhai Rambhai, Krishnalal Pragji, Nanubhai(Paul) Patel, Ashokbhai Darji all expressed their Sympathy to Vasan Family and spoke on contribution made by Late Kantibhai Vasan.

5. Apologies: Amritbhai Vasan, Ganges B. Singh, Thakorbhai Parbhu, Shantiben Parbhu. Jagdishbhai Natali, Maganbhai Ranchhod, Sharwan Singh, Piara Singh Bains, Harshadbhai K Patel, Parshottam Govind, Mohanbhai Mistry.

Chhotubhai Sima/ Nanubhai(Paul) Patel-Carried.

6. Minutes:
The Minutes of the last Executive Committee Meeting Hosted by Wellington Indian Association on Good Friday the 18th of April 2003 at Bharat Bhavan, Kemp Street Kilbirnie tabled and read by General Secretary Ratilal Champaneri.

Corrections & Additions:
President asked the members for any correction or addition to the minute.
1 to add Ishvarbhai Rambhai's name under present members.
2. to add Bhuladas Bhakta's name under observers.
3. page 2 under correction addition item 4 to correct name should read Parshottam.
4. page 3 to correct headings Financial Report.
5. page 3 under Sub Committee report Health and Welfare Report: To be delivered at AGM.
6. page 4 to add sentence under Life Membership " President requested all the observers to leave the room”.
7. Last line under Life Membership word should read unanimously.

There was quiet a few names of observers were missing from the minute. Lengthy debate took place on issue. It was decided that not to record the observer’s names in minutes except to record the name of the observers who makes any comments or suggestion with the permission of chair. All were in favours.

The minutes were adopted as a true and accurate record of proceedings following the above corrections was made to the minutes.

Paul Singh Bains / Krishnalal Pragji - Carried.

7. Matters Arising out of Minutes:
1. School Cert. Prize: No progress has been made yet. Ashokbhai Darji briefed on merit points etc. Nanubhai (Paul) Patel will look into the matter and will give report in next meeting.

2. Artists from India, No further report on Ram Lila.

3. Personal Cheque’s not accepted by High Commission, President Prithipal Singh mentioned that the High Commissioner had been approached on the matter and outcome had been that the as per their procedure and the policy of not to accept any personal cheque’s is Government enforced policy which is same for all their embassy throughout the world and therefore they are unable to change the policy.

8. Correspondence:

Outwards:
1.Letter No 8 - Sir Edmund Hillary. Invitation letter sent to Sir Edmund Hillary to mark and to celebrate 50th Golden Jubilee- awaiting reply.

2.Letter No 13 - Pub Charity - Application lodged for donation of $20,000 with Pub Charity which was sponcer by Beant Singh Jadoor. President Prithipal Singh acknowledged the support and thanked Beant Singh Jadoor for supporting NZICA-Pub Charity grant. The Grant was lodged towards the purchasing of two laptop computers.

3.Letter No 14 - Draft copy of agreement between agent “Print Master” and Principal “NZICA” to publish Telephone Directory.Ashokbhai Darji enlightened members on Privacy Act etc. The cover design for directory under taken by Central District Indian Association.

Motion:
“ That to accept the Agreement between Principal “NZICA” and Agent “Print Master” subject to there be a no restriction of number of copies of Telephone Directory” Naginbhai G Patel/Chhotubhai Sima – Carried.

Ad hoc committee was set up for telephone directory. The following members were elected.
Bharatbhai Bhana, Naginbhai G. Patel, Ashokbhai Darji (Chairman), Nanubhai (Paul) Patel (Deputy Chairman), Paul Singh Bains and Krishna Lal Pragji.

4.Letter No 2 - Apna FM Networks Ltd - Letter of Historical background of NZICA was sent to Apna FM Network.

Inwards:
1. Letter no 1- Letter from Dr Ashraf Choudhry out lining Television N Z charter-Read.

2. Letter no 13 - Letter from Pushpaben Lekinwala Alcohol ban in Gujarat State- Letter outlining bullet points in support of the remit.-Read.

3. Letter no 19 - Letter from Thakorbhai Parbhu read. Letter outlining the progress made on NZICA Brochure and Historical Book.

4.Letter from High Commission read. Letter outlining on Dual Citizenship. Brief discussion took place on issue. After discussion it was moved by Paul Singh Bains seconded by Harbans Singh Randhawa
“ That the representation to be made to NZ Govt to amend clause 16 of NZ Citizenship Act 1977. This will enable Indian Govt to pass the legislation to provide Duel Citizenship to NZ citizen of Indian origin or their siblings & legal advice should be sought to represent the views.“ Carried.

It was moved by Nanubhai (Paul) Patel seconded by Harkrishan Singh Kung that inward to be accepted and outwards to be dispatched.-Carried.

9. Financial Report:
Financial Report was presented by Ratilal Champaneri. Moved by Ratilal Champaneri seconded by Chhotubhai Sima that report presented to be accepted and endorsed for any outstanding payments. –Carried.

10. Historical Book Progress Report:
Harbans Singh Randhawa presented the progress report on Historical Book. Mr Randhawa enlightened members on cost to publish Book and Brochure. Publishing cost for Brochure $5000 and to Publish Book approximate cost of $98000 for printing 5000 copies. Mr Randhawa also stressed that we need an author to polish it up the information supplied prior to printing the book. There were two names were mentioned, Professor Mcleod and Mr Lockey from Dunedin Otago University. Also to engage a Professor from Punjab-India.

Mr Randhawa mentioned that in order to publish brochure we need to spend $5000 and we need approval. From the Executive. After brief discussion on matter it was moved by Naginbhai G. Patel seconded by Krishna Lal Pragji that to spend up to $5000 on publishing the Historical Brochure.Carried.

One-month extension was given to all branch Association to submit relevant information for Historical Book.

Meeting Adjourn for afternoon tea break at 3.55pm and re convene at 4.15pm.

11. Ram Lila:
No further report on Ram Lila other than group of 30 performers with their costume coming in New Zealand in September. Branch hosting the Ram Lila show to provide accommodation, transport, lunch dinner etc.

12. Remits:
1.Next Conference 3rd April 2004 on Saturday, hosts by Central District Indian Association (Inc)- Palmerston North.

2.Youth group should be encouraged to assume more responsibilities and participate Nanubhai (Paul) Patel to organise youth conference.

3.Diwali Celebration and Asia 2000 Foundation to contact and request that Diwali celebration should be in conjunction with summer festival.

4.Naginbhai G. Patel spoke on Immigration Act 1954. All Immigration issues are to be dealt with Immigration sub committee.

5.Country Section remits: Portability of Supperannuation to be increased to 26 weeks. Ishvarbhai Rambhai has sent letter to Hon. Steve Maharey -Minister of Social & Welfare, Parliament Building –Wellington.

6. Alcohol ban in Gujarat State – India – Letter sent to Govt of Gujarat and copy to Prime Minister of India.

7. NRI –visiting historical places in India. Letter sent requesting that charges should be the same as locals pay.

13. Web Site Report:
Ratilal Champaneri –Chairman of website informed the committee that several email addresses has been set up for officers and website personal. Going very well.

14. Next meeting - 2nd August 2003 in Pukekohe.

15. General Business:
Naginbhai G. Patel to draft a letter regards allowing small dairy businesses to bring people from overseas to work in dairies. A draft copy to forward Immigration subs committee and asks chairman to organise meeting with Minister of Immigration.

Past wrong doing Grievances- Naginbhai G Patel suggested that NZICA should seek public apology from NZ Govt. The motion was put forwarded by Naginbhai G Patel/Harkishan Kung

“That NZICA seek public apology from the Crown for the wrong doings to people of Indian decent in the last two centuries. We should also work out the compensation to be sought for the past wrong doings & grievances.” – Carried.

Broadcasting - Naginbhai G. Patel to provide detailed report and forwarded to Ishvarbhai Rambhai to take it up with Dr. Ashraf Choudhry.

Ratilal Champaneri enlightened members on language line.

Bharatbhai Bhana - Can we change the date of AGM? It is up to members at the AGM to decide the change of AGM date.

Chhotubhai Sima raised concern that there is no response from Air India local office when Telephone call made.

Naginbhai G Patel talk about Wider Representation.