East Indians - Relocation

Date: 1972

From: Lodge, Nevile Sidney 1918-1989 :[Archive of original cartoons for the Evening Post and Sports Post, 1941 to 1988]

By: Lodge, Nevile Sidney, 1918-1989; Evening Post (Wellington, N.Z.)

Reference: B-134-257

Description: This cartoon shows a scene at New Zealand House after all Asians had been expelled from Uganda by Idi Amin. Beneath a notice that says, 'Vacancies for 200 Ugandan Asians - Apply here', an enthusiastic official is expounding the attractions of New Zealand to a family of Asian descent. Two other officials look on doutfully and one is saying to the other the words that form the title of the cartoon - that they are bound to be disappointed when they come across the public toilet block known as the Taj Mahal in Wellington. A newspaper clipping in the top left corner of the cartoon comments that a spokesman for New Zealand House reports very little interest in New Zealand by Ugandan Asians. Extended Title - Interest in New Zealand not very high [for Ugandan Asians]. Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Ink, letratone, newspaper clipping and crayon, 317 x 392 mm Finding Aids: Photocopies available in Pictorial Reference Service.

Date: 31 Jan 1995

From: A history of Indian women in Aotearoa

By: Soni, Ladkuarben (Mrs), 1911-

Reference: OHInt-0063/09

Description: Ladkuarben Soni details how she was born on 31 December 1911 in Bantva, Saurashtra (Northern Gujarat) India, her religion is Hindu and she speaks Hindi and Gujarati. Describes how she went to live in Fiji in the 1920s to be with her husband and came to New Zealand in 1975 to live with her daughter Dr Kantha Soni. Talks about having had an arranged marriage at an early age. Recalls that when she was six a woman tattooist who travelled around the villages, tattooed her and several other girls in her village and that this was the fashionable thing to do at the time. Talks about this experience and the fact that 80 years later the tattoos are still very clear on her body. Talked about living in Fiji, her work and family, sending her only daughter to New Zealand to school, financial hardship and the experience of moving to New Zealand to live. Discusses her philosophy of life, her dreams for her granddaughter and vision for her daughter. Talks about her proficiency with technology here and driving a car in Fiji. Recalls living in the village near where Gandhi was living and working, politics of her time in India, living with her in-laws before she moved to Fiji. Discusses how proud she is of her daughter being the first Indian woman doctor in New Zealand. Talks about cooking, religion and traditional rituals. Venue - Auckland Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-006138, OHC-006139 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s) - summary notes. 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - other OHA-1381.

Date: 31 01 1995 - 31 Jan 1995

From: A history of Indian women in Aotearoa

By: Soni, Kantha (Dr), active 1951-1995

Reference: OHInt-0063/08

Description: Kantha Soni details how she was born in Fiji, speaks Hindu, Gujarati and English, that her religion is Hindu and how she came to New Zealand in 1951 to study to become a doctor. Notes that she is the first New Zealand Indian woman doctor. Talks about her life in Fiji, her schooling at a Methodist school, her hard years of study, the struggle of her family to send her to New Zealand to study, her career, living in Wellington, her divorce and being on her own for 22 years. Talks about living with her mother and her daughter in Auckland. Discusses how everything she has done is untraditional; leaving home, having a career, getting a divorce and bringing up a child on her own. Talks about not feeling that she is radical but rather that she just did it because it was important to her. Explains that the caste system is not important to her, that the indigenous peoples of India were conquered, not born into the caste system. Talks about being a feminist and what this means to her. talks about setting up the first Maori women's health collective on the North Shore and what an achievement this has been for her. Discusses her involvement with the Indian community and her plans for the future. Venue - Wellington Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-006137 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s) - summary notes. 1 interview(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - other OHA-1380.

Date: 1994 - 01 Jan 1994

From: A history of Indian women in Aotearoa

By: Deobhakta, Kanan, active 1970s-1990s

Reference: OHInt-0063/02

Description: Kanan Deobhakta talks about her family background and traces her family heritage to the states of Gujarat and Maharastra. Discusses being born in Uganda and entering New Zealand as a refugee with her husband and two children in the 1970's as a result of the expelling of Indians from Uganda. She discusses getting residency. Notes that her siblings now live in many other parts of the world. Discusses her parents and grandparents liberal attitudes to the caste system, arranged marriages and issues of religious segregation, and how these attitudes influenced her own life. Talks about founding the Bharat Natyam School of Classical Indian Dance in the 1980's and about the lack of awareness of this dance and art form in both the Indian community and Western culture. Discusses some of the successes and struggles from grassroots efforts to funding and support from the Arts Council and other institutions. Talks about her latest contemporary dance works and her vision for the school and students. Venue - Auckland Interviewer(s) - Mandrika Rupa Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-006127 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - other OHA-1374.