Nandan NZ, an Indian Bengali association, based in the heart of Auckland, is an all-inclusive family oriented organisation founded by few passionate hearts in the year 2000. Since its inception the organisation is on a mission to bring together Bengali as well as Non-Bengali families and students interested in understanding and assimilating with the rich Bengali culture, heritage and tradition, irrespective of gender, race and religion. The organisation has consistently preserved its Bengali heritage and promoted the Bengali language, culture, social values and religious activities among the entire spectrum of Bengali and Non-Bengali communities across the whole of New Zealand. Currently its goal is to reach out to people of all ages, with particular emphasis on younger people so that they can join with the senior members of the organisation in order to understand the rich heritage of the Bengali language so that its vibrant identity can be passed onto future generations. Throughout the year, Nandan organizes several cultural and social programmes like Independence Day, Durga Puja, Annual Picnic, Poila Boisakh (Bengali New Year), “Prabhat Pheri'' (Morning Procession celebrated every year with food, music, dance, recitation and frolic) etc. Also every year the members of the organisation organize their own 'natok' (annual drama) together, which is enjoyed by members and non-members alike. Hence for all Bengalis abroad here in New Zealand, Nandan is a household name which is associated with the members’ daily lives, bringing fun and enjoyment to their social life in this country, especially when most of the members are living thousands of miles away from their motherland, India and miss their roots and families terribly. Lately COVID-19 imposed a myriad of consequences for health and mental/ physical well-being globally. While the world never felt more physically isolated before during that time, the digital platform of Nandan offered a bridge, as well as an exciting range of experiences (virtual meetups, online cultural activities) to fight depression and to cope with the mental and physical stresses of Covid and lockdown fatigue, which all the members of Nandan (especially those who were living alone without their family’s support and help with student visas/ work visas) enjoyed from their respective bubbles in these unprecedented times. Undoubtedly, team Nandan had found ways to re-think, invent and improve, using technology to keep the cultural offer open to as many members as possible during the pandemic surge. “Art, we can only conclude, keeps society alive!” Isn’t it? (quote from the article by Louise O. Fresco, in the NRC Handelsblad, Netherlands) Nandan welcomes everyone interested to be part of the organization, as it aspires to dispense its services with joy and love of giving, as it continues to expand its horizons by means of an array of social and cultural events, mesmerizing New Zealand with all the members’ passion, creativity and innovation.
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