Date: 30 August 2019
Venue: New Zealand High Commission, Delhi

We recently had the opportunity to visit Pacific without actually going there.

This was by virtue of Namaste Pacific, a program organised and jointly hosted by the High Commissions of New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea and Fiji. The consulates of these countries came together to curate an event with the purpose of creating awareness in India about the Pacific.

The event was held on the lawns of the High Commission of New Zealand at Chanakyapuri and when we reached we were in for a surprise. The High Commissioners of the host Pacific countries were standing at the gate, wearing flower chaplets on their heads and welcoming the guests individually with marigold garlands. This spontaneity was amusing and touching at the same time and reflected the chilled out mindset of these countries. It also set the mood for the evening.

The High Commissioners thereafter took the stage, welcomed the guests and the guest of honour Vijay Thakur Singh, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Also in attendance were members of the diplomatic community, government officials, business leaders, and cultural personalities. Paralympics silver medallist Deepa Malik was also present among the guests and was specially mentioned.

Thereafter it was an informal affair that involved a lot of mirth and music. Aaradhna, multi-award-wining R&B and soul artist from New Zealand, regaled the audience with her band. There were group dances as well and artists from Fiji, in collaboration with the staff of the High Commission, performed the traditional Meke dance. The dancers later came among the audience and pulled them in the act. What followed was a train of harmony where everybody was dancing in a queue holding each other’s shoulders.

The organisers had also left no stone unturned to provide a great food experience. The menu for the evening was curated from Pacific dishes. Wine and beer from the region were served to wash down the food. Fijian national drink Kava was served from an exclusive Kava station. But what was most special was the main course. The meat and vegetable dishes in the spread were slow-cooked in an earth oven. A pit oven was specially dug that afternoon for this purpose on the lawns of the New Zealand High Commission. The cooking process here, we are told, took more than 5 hours. No wonder the lamb roast had a smoky flavour and came away from the bone so easily! It was one of the best lamb dishes we have had in Delhi.

The desserts were another story altogether. The counter was extremely photogenic and the dishes totally Instagram worthy. But not just the look, the cakes and puddings were melt in the mouth tasty and a fitting grand finale to the whole affair.

Delhi is a melting pot of cultures historically. No wonder, Delhi embraces all traditions and races with warmth and excitement. The Namaste Pacific event was a great initiative to show what beautiful things cultural synergies can do for us all. Thanks to Namaste Pacific, we and many others, got to witness a slice of Pacific sitting in Delhi. As a result, we can’t wait to plan a relaxing holiday to the Pacific.