7 November 2024

Waikato Telugu community felicitates Bala Tikkisetty

WATA recognises Tikkisetty’s services to community, temple

The Waikato Telugu Association (WATA) has felicitated Bala Bhaskar Tikkisetty JP on the occasion of Bathukamma and Dasara celebrations of their community held here on 6 Oct.

Bala Tikkisetty who works as a Sustainable Agriculture Advisor at the Waikato Regional Council, was honoured by WATA for his long and valuable association with the Telugu community and the Balaji Temple.

Tikkisetty with MP
David Bennett MP draping a shawl on Jaya Lakshmi & Bala Tikkisetty

David Bennett, National MP for Hamilton East was among the large gathering of the Telugu community members present to celebrate the event.

According to Ravinder Boddu, President (WATA) Bala Tikkisetty’s felicitation was a recognition of his “continuous efforts in developing Hamilton’s Balaji Temple as its Chairperson.”

He is also a trustee of the temple, and one of the founders of WATA in 2007 and was nominated as a Justice of Peace also last year.

In his brief address to the community, David Bennett acknowledged the significant contribution made by the Indian community to New Zealand and was happy that the communities were maintaining the traditions and cultures alive for the future generations.

WATA members
WATA president, Ravinder Boddu (L) with other community members

With Tikkisetty’s felicitation, “WATA has now started the felicitation culture to recognise people’s hard work and felicitate them, will be continued,” says its president, Ravinder Boddu.

Bala Tikkisetty was humble in accepting the honour, but exhilarated at the same time.

Expressing his gratefulness, he said: “It is not easy to strike the right note in response. One has to avoid the twin dangers of a smug acceptance of felicitations and an ostentatious exhibition of humility.

“Good work in the community is highly infectious and recognition of the good work will seed and grow the enthusiasm amongst other members leading to a better society”, he added.

Bhaskar
Jaya & Bala with David Bennett, MP

On the occasion, prayers were offered by women dressed in colourful traditional dresses for the ‘health & happiness of their husbands”, and children presented some dance numbers.

Prayer dance
Prayer dance for ‘health & happiness of husbands’

In the near future, WATA has plans to expand its volunteer services in blood donation and donating food to homeless people.


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