The mood generally in the increasingly politically aware Indian community is of a growing concern of not having one of their own representative in parliament. A great section in the camp wonders at this lack of representation despite having seen their numbers grow to over 100,000 in the last 150 years.
Traditionally the community has been perceived as very close to the Labour party although the ideology of the party does not amply reflect their way of life. It should have been more inclined toward the National party and in the proximity to its beliefs. Where National failed, Labour gained by aligning itself through interaction, communication and regularly attending several of their events.
National has woken upto this disparity only recently and with John Key at the helm of affairs on the National front, a vigorous exercise is underway to regularly hobnob and woo the community to its fold.
But some argue and contemplate ‘what has prevented a kiwi of Indian origin to grace the parliament so far?’ It is a million dollar question. While some attribute this phenomenon to lack of political naiveté, there are others who speak of the absence of coherence within the segmented community.
There are voices that term it as an amalgamation of communities of community whose complex structure is bitterly divided from the inside on a host of factors such as language, regional, religious, cast and other ethnic factors. Infighting rules the roost, some say.
Some in the community rued that ‘speaking on a general scale the Indians have the tendency to bring the same mentality to their adopted countries.’ It is a hard task for a political party unaware of the complexities surrounding this heterogeneous community to win its favour.
The two major political parties this time have certainly come under increasing pressure to have a kiwi of Indian origin enter the sprawling Beehive. The complex battle for a large slice of the Indian cake has begun and only time will tell which party will romp home at the 2008 hustings with a kiwi Indian in tow.
For complete report please visit www.teamworkproductions.co.nzThe mood generally in the increasingly politically aware Indian community is of a growing concern of not having one of their own representat...all »The mood generally in the increasingly politically aware Indian community is of a growing concern of not having one of their own representative in parliament. A great section in the camp wonders at this lack of representation despite having seen their numbers grow to over 100,000 in the last 150 years.
Traditionally the community has been perceived as very close to the Labour party although the ideology of the party does not amply reflect their way of life. It should have been more inclined toward the National party and in the proximity to its beliefs. Where National failed, Labour gained by aligning itself through interaction, communication and regularly attending several of their events.
National has woken upto this disparity only recently and with John Key at the helm of affairs on the National front, a vigorous exercise is underway to regularly hobnob and woo the community to its fold.
But some argue and contemplate ‘what has prevented a kiwi of Indian origin to grace the parliament so far?’ It is a million dollar question. While some attribute this phenomenon to lack of political naiveté, there are others who speak of the absence of coherence within the segmented community.
There are voices that term it as an amalgamation of communities of community whose complex structure is bitterly divided from the inside on a host of factors such as language, regional, religious, cast and other ethnic factors. Infighting rules the roost, some say.
Some in the community rued that ‘speaking on a general scale the Indians have the tendency to bring the same mentality to their adopted countries.’ It is a hard task for a political party unaware of the complexities surrounding this heterogeneous community to win its favour.
The two major political parties this time have certainly come under increasing pressure to have a kiwi of Indian origin enter the sprawling Beehive. The complex battle for a large slice of the Indian cake has begun and only time will tell which party will romp home at the 2008 hustings with a kiwi Indian in tow.
For complete report please visit www.teamworkproductions.co.nz«
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