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NEW ZEALAND INDIAN CENTRAL ASSOCIATION OBITUARIES 5. PIARA SINGH BAINS 1. HARDEV SINGH KUNG (7th March 1944 - 24th October 2001) Hardev was born on 7th March 1944 in Village Chhokaran, District Jalandhar, Punjab, India. He was the second youngest of his three brothers and three sisters. Hardev had his early education in India. He migrated to New Zealand along with his mother two sisters and a brother. They joined Hardev's father the late Gurdas Singh Kung and older brother the late Gurmit Singh Kung, at their King Country farm at Te Kuiti near Mapio. He started his education at the Mapio Primary School and then attended Te Kuiti High School. In 1960 the family sold their King Country farm and Hardev along with his father and brother Harkrishan Singh Kung brought a farm in Turua, near Ngatea. He then completed his secondary education at the Thames High School. In 1971, Hardev visited India accompanied by his father, and married Iqbal Kaur of Village Malhalpur in District Hoshiarpur. Hardev's father Gurdas Singh Kung passed away in 1972 and in the same year they sold their farm in Turua and brought their farm property at Piako Road, Morrinsville. Again jointly with his brother Harkrishan. In 1979 Hardev sold his share in the joint farm property and brought his own farm in Taupiri. The Taupiri farm was sold in 1995 and Hardev made investments in the residential property market in Hamilton and also brought his own residential property at Flagstaff. Hardev met his tragic accidental death on the 24th October 2001 while helping his brother and nephews at their farm at Piako Road. He passed away minutes from the homestead when his four-wheel drive bike collided. Hardev's sudden death has not only saddened his family and friends but also the greater Indian community. He was very active in numerous Sikh, Indian and other Voluntary organisations. He along with his family played a very important part in initiating and establishment of the New Zealand Sikh Society and also in the building of the first Sikh Temple (Gurudwara Sahib) in Hamilton. He was an untiring voluntary worker of the Sikh Society and will be highly missed on all formal and informal occasions. He held various important positions in The Sikh Society and served them well. At the time of his death, Hardev was the current President of the Country Section, of New Zealand Indian Association (Inc) and the past Vice President of the New Zealand Indian Central Association (Inc). He also held other office positions in these organisations. He was a Justice of the Peace and has proven his worth for this position. His tireless work for all these organisations and close liaison with political leaders like Prime Minister Helen Clark and Tony Steele MP in Hamilton has been highly missed and it will be hard to fill the gap left by his sudden death. All
of Hardev's friends will have a sweet remembrance of his good deeds
and always have heartfelt sympathy with Iqbal Kaur and the extended
Kung Family.
Almost immediately he became involved in the affairs of the community and the Christchurch Indian Association. In 1960 he was one of the members of the fundraising planning committee for purchasing our own hall. He was also the very first Gujarati school teacher. He was secretary for several years and became President in early 1981 until his sudden illness in 1998. It was through Govindbhai’s encouragement that I became involved in the Association. While he was President he asked me to on as a committee member. Govindbhai always took on board new ideas and always encouraged us to further the aims of the Association. Govindbhai’s commitment to the Association was shown by making his home available for cultural group practices. He was extremely generous with his time by the way he quietly went about doing extra work for the Association. Whenever there was a gathering or function at the hall Govindbhai would make sure the heaters were on earlier so that it would be warm enough for everyone when they arrived. He also did the same for the children of the Gujarati School every Sunday morning. All these voluntary actions were performed for the benefit of others. Govindbhai took time out of his busy life to make sure the Association activities ran smoothly. He always appreciated what one did for the Association and had a special way of acknowledging it. This who Govindbhai was a gentle and unselfish person, who really cared for his people. Even through his illness he still took interest in the activities of the Association and attended most functions and gatherings. Govindbhai’s services to the community were recognised by being confirmed as a Life Member of the New Zealand Central Association in 1999 and life member of the Christchurch Indian Association in 2000. I hope Govindbhai’s dedication, loyalty and commitment will be an inspiration to us to continue his good work. One a personal note it was a privilege to work with you. Thank you for being a friend and brother to me. To Taraben, Shaila, Diptee, Yateen, Morarbhai, Babubhai and families
on behalf of the Christchurch Indian Association I offer our sincerest
condolences. Govindbhai will sadly be missed. May his soul rest in
peace. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti. Born: Wellington
March 24, 1941 KANTI VASAN, eldest son of a Newtown Fruit and Vegetable hawker, was a leader of Wellington’s Indian Community whose diplomatic skills were shaped in adversity. The city accountant and businessman, 62, was a schoolboy when his 41-year old father died after the family truck rolled over him at Ngaio. Kanti Vasan, then 15, took on the role of breadwinner for his mother, three brothers and two sisters. When mourning ceremonies were complete, he continued his father’s work, rising before dawn to atten fruit and vegetable auctions in Allen St, loading the family’s Thames truck and then driving it to the family home in Newtown where his mother would prepare his purchases for sale. Mr Vasan would then attend at Wellington College, racing from the school to his home when classes ended so he could drive the family truck - a cushion stuffed on the driver’s seat enabled him to see the way ahead - to Ngaio and Khandallah and sell goods door to door. His horizons, however, were greater. His parents had not done the hard graft so their youngsters could stay in the fruit and veg business. They were insisten on their brood being educated to tertiary level. They all succeeded. Kanti Vasan choosing to study accountancy at Victoria University. His sense of family obligation would pervade his forays into the wider community in adult life, and to the Indian community in particular. He was a recently graduated accountant in city practice when he began his community work. He was an officer and president of the Wellington Indian Association for five years till 1974 and was responsible for the introduction of a variety of innovative ideas, among them educational awards aimed at encouraging students to study diligently. The first women’s auxiliary (Mahila Samaj) was established under his leadership and events such as the annual end-of-year Diwali celebrations and the annual Navratri gatherings acquired new meaning and prominence. The events are now highly successful, in addition to other cultural and charitable events. Mr Vasan’s contribution to the Indian Central Association as an office bearer began when he was appointed under-secretary in 1969. In 1970 he became an executive member and was elected president in 1974 - the youngest ever - and he held the job till 1976. From 1978 till 1980 he was chairman of the association’s publications subcommittee that produced the book “Indians in NZ” - Studies of a sub-culture, edited by K Tiwari. In 1989 Mr Vasan became chairman of the Wellington Indian Association’s board of trustees. The board was responsible for buying the former Electrolux building in Kemp St,Kilbirnie, and for raising funds and overseeing management of what is now the Bharat Bhavan Indian Cultural Centre. The development was potentially problematic insofar as nothing on its scale had been previously attempted by the community. Pledges and contributions rolled in, not least because Mr Vasan’s diplomatic skills and patience countered self-interest when it arose. He had the commercial nous and knew where to go for extra capital funds that on the face of it were beyond the community’s resources. Through a variety of conventional resources,loans and gifts the cultural centre was bought for about $2.5 million, offset by $400,000 in proceeds from the sale of existing premises in Tasman St. With a distinctive design by Athfield Architects, the Bharat Bhavan centre is now worth in the vicinity of $6.5 million and just its Indian owners. Diligent management has reduced the outstanding mortgage to $300,000. Mr Vasan’s other interests included active participation in the Labour Party. He was chairman of the Island Bay Labour electorate committee in 1966 and 1967, held other positions with the party and was honorary auditor to several branches. When Kanti Vasan was not on duty at his Piano House of New Zealand business in Newtown, he would invariably be spotted at hockey matches or athletics meets. He was a judge in the intercollegiate McEvedy Shield competition and was official timekeeper for the Wellington Amateur Athletic Association. He was made a foundation life member of the National Hockey Stadium and was a regular fixture at the stadium supporting the senior men’s Indian A hockey team. In 1985 he was appointed a Justice of the Peace and marriage celebrant. He was appointed a commissioner on the Earthquake and War Damage Commission. Kanti Vasan was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal earlier this month (June 2003) in recognition of his contribution to the community. Mr Vasan had been ill with diabetes-related complaints for nine years. His funeral was attended by 1-4000 mourners, among them former prime minister David Lange and the Minister of Health, Annette King. He is survived by his wife,son and daughter. By Peter Kitchen - The Dominion Post, June 26 2003. Born 13 September 1916 – died 31 August 2003. Age 87 years. His father Mela Singh travelled to Fiji in 1921 and came to New Zealand six months later. Sarwan Singh lived in Marnain Kalan Punjab India, where he was also educated in Hoshairpur. He knew English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu. He came to New Zealand in 1932. He first lived in the Bay of Plenty milking cows, then Tahuna near Morrinsville cutting flax. Later he lived in Mananui 4kms from Taumaranui where they brought their first dairy farm in 1935. They came to Hamilton in 1973 to a larger dairy farm on Piako Road with his son Babu Mahinder Singh, who today milks 800 cows on three farms. Sarwan Singh loved meeting people and helping his wider community. He helped people in needy times from India and Fiji. Sarwan Singh was a Merit Holder in the NZ Indian Central Association in 1987 and a Life Member in 1991. He was also a Foundation Member and Executive Member of the NZ Sikh Society Inc, and a past President of the NZ Sikh Society from 1983-1985. He is sadly missed by his wife Tejkaur, son Babu Mohinder Singh, daughter in law Jispal Kaur. His daughters and son in laws; Mohan Singh and Metokaur Ark, Hardial Singh and Jeatokaur Deo, Sohan Singh and Sukhdavekaur Chahal, Manjit Singh (late) and Bakshkaur Khunkhun, Santokh Singh and Avtarkaur Dhami, and Kalvin Singh and Amritkaur Khunkhun. His grandchildren and great grandchildren. His family is also involved in the NZ Sikh Society and NZ Indian Association Country Section. Written on behalf of the family by Sukhdave Kaur Chahal JP 6. GULABBHAI WALLABHBHAI MORAL 10th April 2008 Gulabbhai Moral was born in Marton on the 28th July 1926. Gulabbhai married Santeben Patel in 1955. Gulabbhai’s father, Wallabhbhai Soma Moral was born in Karadi India in 1892. Wallabhbhai was one of the very first Gujarati’s to arrive in New Zealand around 1912. In 1935 Wallabhbhai leased the Marton shop to another relative and Gulabhbhai was left in Marton. Gulabbhai had recollections of his early childhood in Marton. Later Gulabbhai came to New Plymouth and attended New Plymouth Boys High School and later Victoria University. While at New Plymouth Boys High School, Gulabbhai was a team member of the 5th grade rugby team which won the championships. He belonged to the school gym squad. Gulabbhai also held the school under 8st 7lb boxing title for two years. He was the school’s basketball team captain. During the war Gulabbhai was a member of the surf life saving team and a 1st warrant officer of the Air Training Corp formed at the school. At university he was elected captain of the Victoria University basketball team. He was then made vice captain of the New Zealand University basketball team, which toured Australia in 1951. Gulabbhai became the first New Zealand born Indian to represent New Zealand in a sport. He also represented the Wellington basketball team who won their championships. And later in New Plymouth he belonged to the New Plymouth basketball team and became a New Zealand referee. Gulabbhai Wallabhbhai Moral was amongst the members present at the inaugural meeting of the newly formed Taranaki Indian Association back on the 26th January 1956. His passion for the Taranaki Indian Association was tremendous; he was President for a number of years. Whilst Gulabbhai was president he co-ordinated the Taranaki Indian Assn 25th Jubilee in 1981. Those that where present enjoyed cultural dance performers from Auckland & Wellington and many other forms of entertainment. Many NZICA members attended. He became the President of the New Zealand Central Indian Association Inc (NZICA) for 3 years to 1979. As President he open the Gurdwara Sikh Temple in Te Rapa, Hamilton. Through the experience of being President of the New Plymouth Rotary Club he was able to bring meeting procedures to the NZICA meetings making it more streamline. Gulabbhai so reliable to attend all NZICA AGM’s as a Taranaki delegate for a number of years plus being a passionate driver meant delegates often call upon him as a driver to the AGM. It was not uncommon for Gulabbhai, at the completion of an AGM, late at night in Rotorua, or Auckland to drive to New Plymouth without staying overnight. In his later years when he was unable to attend the NZICA AGM, he remained in touch with the latest developments with the Central Association and was keen to hear their views on any matters. In 1993 Gulabbhai was made a Life Member of the NZICA.
His wisdom was well respected. Gulabbhai’s lively hood had come from being a produce auctioneer at Webster Bros. New Plymouth, a Land and Survey Chairman and Draftsman. He opened his own Fruit & Vegetable business in 1963 in New Plymouth sold in 1980, purchased a Dairy in 1981 and retired from business in 1983. Gulabbhai passed away at the age of 81 on 6th August 2007 in New Plymouth, leaving behind his wife Santeben, five children and ten grandchildren. Hare Krishna Radhe Radhe |
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