Speech at the Shreya Ghoshal

Rt Hon Winston Peters

New Zealand First Leader

Member of Parliament for Northland
20 AUGUST 2016

Shreya Ghoshal Live Concert,

Michael Fowler Centre,

7.30pm, Friday, 19 August, 2016

SPEECH AT THE SHREYA GHOSHAL LIVE CONCERT WELLINGTON BY RT HON WINSTON PETERS

This week of course India celebrates 70 years of independence.

Hundreds of millions of Indians watched on television as Prime Minister Modi hoisted the national flag at the Red Fort in Delhi.

In this country whenever we think of Indian independence, Mahatma Ghandi, the Father of the Nation, comes to mind.

His words are as relevant today as when they were first spoken.

He referred to the seven social sins

Politics without principles,

Wealth without work,

Pleasure without conscience,

Knowledge without character,

Commerce without morality,

Science without humanity,

And worship without sacrifice.

They are words that are worth remembering.

As a measure of the respect New Zealand has for Mahatma Ghandi there is the statue that stands not far from here, on the front lawn of the Railway Station on Bunny Street.

This statue was a gift from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations on behalf of the Indian people.

When the statue was unveiled in 2007, the Indian High Commissioner said:

“On India's part, the gifting of the statue is an expression of our deep appreciation and acknowledgement of the commitment of the people of New Zealand for setting an example to the world of a tolerant, open and inclusive society.”

Independence Day events have been held around the world this week, being celebrated with parades and pageants.

It is a great occasion to commemorate the time India shed its colonial past and today it is the largest democracy in the British Commonwealth

The empire has passed into history but the ties between the countries which were part of it are still strong.

As a sign of these old ties we have the Commonwealth Games which are held every four years and which India hosted in Delhi in 2010.

With the United Kingdom leaving the EU recently it has been said the opportunity now exists for a closer relationship in trade and commerce between the Commonwealth countries

It makes economic sense.

In recent years the Commonwealth GDP has grown by 5%.

The Commonwealth countries together could form an economic powerhouse, if we got our act together.

Therefore it is in New Zealand’s interests that New Zealand has strong trade arrangements with India and that the relationship between the two countries can grow.

I am sure those of us here this evening can help make this happen.

All the best for a wonderful evening of cultural entertainment.

ENDS

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