Students celebrate big day (+video)

Students mark India's Independence Day at Waiariki. Photo / Stephen Parker

Their home country may be thousands of kilometres away, but that hasn't stopped Waiariki's Indian students celebrating their national independence day in style.

The annual holiday fell on a Saturday this year, so Waiariki Institute of Technology decided to hold celebrations yesterday to mark the occasion.

They included the raising of the Indian flag in a morning ceremony, followed by festive performances and cultural food.

Scores of students gathered around the nursing building, with many cheering and whistling as performers sang and danced.

Fragrant smells permeated the air as traditional Indian dishes were prepared and served to students and staff.

Satwinder Singh has been studying at Waiariki for more than two years and watched the cultural performances eagerly.

"I think it's a good thing Waiariki gives its Indian students the opportunity to celebrate their culture.

"While I have been living in New Zealand for two years, there are many students here who left India less than a year ago - for those students I think celebrations like this help them come to terms with living in another country.

"I have adapted to the Kiwi culture and consider myself a Kiwi now but I still have a connection to my home country and culture," he said.

One of the dancers, Indian student Simrat Pal Kaur, moved to New Zealand at the start of the year and said she was grateful Waiariki was "open to other cultures celebrating their national holidays".

"Waiariki is a beautiful place with beautiful tutors and staff. I don't think many other institutes would let its students celebrate their cultures so openly."

She said she also loved how accepting the Kiwi culture was.

"It wasn't just Indian students cheering for us as we danced, there was a mix of cultures coming together to celebrate this holiday with us.

"It is a really nice feeling to have Kiwi students come up to us after our performance saying we looked really good and were entertaining - that means a lot to us."