The Auckland Indian Association Mahila Samaj was founded in August 1971. Mrs Taraben Satyanand was one of the founding members and with help from the Late Rameshbhai Patel and a few other Indian women. Thus Mahila Samaj was formed as a branch of The Auckland Indian Association. Mahila Samaj was formed to enable women in our community to come together at monthly meetings, where we organise activities which cater for women's needs.

Over recent years some of the activities the Mahila Samaj have organised are: Women’s health day, which provided education sessions in English, Gujarati and Hindi, plus free health checks, rangoli competition for all ages, cooking demonstrations, hairstyling and mehndi/henna demonstrations, bush walks in the Waitakeres, afternoon teas for pensioners and talks on homeopathy, naturopathy, diabetes, breast cancer etc.

Mahila Samaj has organised many fundraising dinners for needy charities and some funds have already been raised to purchase a new fridge-freezer and stove for the new kitchen in the mandir. In addition, the Mahila Samaj has sponsored the prasad at Pran Prathishtha celebrations, and are currently fundraising to pay for new stage curtains in the Mahatma Gandhi complex.

The monthly meetings of Mahila Samaj have become a base, for Indian women to come and meet each other and discuss matters relating to women’s issues.

Over the years, Mahila Samaj has grown and changed to meet the needs of Indian women in a western culture. We hope that by being active Mahila Samaj can help to preserve our language and culture amongst the younger generation and many future generations. All women are welcome, and anyone interested in joining Mahila Samaj or just coming to our monthly meetings can contact any of the executive officers listed below.

The Mahila Samaj wishes the Sri Radha Krishna Mandir every success in their Pran Prathishtha celebrations and hope the Mandir will promote goodwill, harmony and understanding.

NEWS & EVENTS

September 2011

Most recently on September 18th we had a trip out of Auckland to the Clevendon Markets and Zen Gardens. The trip was thoroughly enjoyed by all who came along.

Upcoming Events:

October 9th (Sunday)    Our Annual Rongoli Competition
                       Venue:  First floor Mahatma Gandhi Centre
                       Time:   11.OOam start
                       Prize giving followed by lunch at approximately 1.30pm.

December 4th (Sunday)   Annual Luncheon
                       Venue to be advised

Champa Patel
President - Mahila Samaj