Pramjit Rai Suchdev or Jeet Suchdev is a name synonymous with Bhartiya Samaj, an organisation that has taken the initiative to help hundreds of community members in their times of difficulty and distress. He is no stranger to the Kiwi-Indian or the broader multi-ethnic community.
Jeet Suchdev in his tenure of over three decades in New Zealand established himself as a man of high virtues, who has always been there to support the needy and the distressed.
Mr Suchdev came to New Zealand in 1987 in search of a new life for himself and his family. He started his business in the hospitality and tourism sector, but his passion for social service kept him attached to several community events then.
With the growing population, the need arose for a more established community organisation looking after the Asian communities’ needs. He established Bhartiya Samaj in 1995 which was later established as a Charitable Trust in 2001.
Under his leadership and guidance, Bharatiya Samaj evolved to become a vibrant and highly successful community organisation that received several accolades and recognition for its work with the elderly, children and in migrant settlement and empowerment of women from South Asian communities.
Jeet Suchdev was instrumental in taking several community initiatives and partnering with different organisations celebrating Indian festivals such as Diwali, Independence Day, Republic Day, Holi, Diwali, Dusshera, Christmas. Each of these events was massively successful not just because it gained a considerable n crowd but also because each of the individuals involved in the event had something to contribute and participate in. He encouraged the senior citizens, members of Bhartiya Samaj, to participate and perform, which made these very successful and popular in every age group.
For his service to the community, he was bestowed with Queen’s Service Medal in 2004 for his contribution toward the community. In 2005 he received the Hind Rattan Award by International NRI Association of India and Bharat Gaurav Award in 2016 by International Friendship Society. Earlier in May 2018, he was invited to represent the New Zealand Indian Diaspora for a panel discussion on Indian Organisations working for the Indian nationals in New Zealand.
For his years of dedication and service to multi-ethnic communities in New Zealand, the jury from a pool of nominations selected Jeet Suchdev for the honour of The Indian Weekender’s Community Service Excellence Award 2018.
Thursday, August 30, 2018 Rizwan Mohammad
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