ABOUT US
Our dedicated executive team works tirelessly to nurture cultural heritage and enhance multicultural understanding within the community. They are:
President/Director of Events: Jujhar Singh Randhawa JP
Secretary/Event Coordinator: Jeevan Syril Mathews
Treasurer: Kamaljit Farrar
Vice President: Roy Vellara JP
Assistant Secretary: Neet Dhiman
Assistant Treasure: Rajni Lal
Auditor: Ravinder Power
Immediate Past President: Paul Singh Bains JP QSM
Executive Members: Daman Farrar, Damanjit Bains, Dr Sarkaw Randhawa
We celebrate the vibrant tapestry of Indian culture throughout the year with a series of significant events:
Diwali: A cornerstone event, Diwali marks a time of light and celebration, bringing together the community to share in this important festival.
Waikato Holi Mela: A vibrant celebration of color and spring, the Holi Mela brings joy and community spirit to the Waikato region.
Waikato Indian New Year Mela: We ring in the New Year with traditional Indian festivities, music, and dance, offering a unique multicultural celebration.
The Indian Cultural Society has been a proud part of the Waikato community for over three decades, bringing the vibrant spirit of Indian culture to life through events such as our large and renowned Diwali celebrations, as well as the increasingly popular Waikato Holi Mela and Waikato Indian New Year Mela. We invite you to join us in celebrating this rich heritage.
Sitting left to right: Vice President: Roy Vellara JP, Auditor: Ravinder Power JP, Secretary/Event Coordinator: Jeevan Syril Mathews, President/Director of Events: Jujhar Singh Randhawa JP, Immediate Past President: Paul Singh Bains JP QSM,
Treasurer: Kamaljit Farrar
Standing left to right: Assistant Secretary: Neet Dhiman, Assistant Treasure: Rajni Lal, Executive Members: Dr Sarkaw Randhawa, Executive Members: Damanjit Bains, Executive Members: Daman Farrar
Jujhar Singh Randhawa, affectionately known as Jay, is a cornerstone of the Indian Cultural Society Waikato Inc., having served the community for over 25 years. Now the President and Head of Events, he continues to lead with vision, passion, and a deep commitment to cultural celebration and social unity. Widely regarded as a “shining light” in the Waikato region, Jujhar has played a transformative role in bringing Diwali—the festival of lights—to the forefront of Hamilton’s multicultural calendar.
A successful entrepreneur, Jujhar is the CEO of JSR Refrigeration & Air Conditioning and Managing Director of multiple companies including Zephyr Pure Air Ventilation and Hillcrest Spinal Centre. His business acumen is matched by his dedication to public service. He currently serves as a Justice of the Peace, a Lay Member of the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand (appointed by the Minister of Health), and a Board Director of the Medical Science Secretariat Ltd.
Jujhar’s leadership extends across numerous community initiatives. He is the co founder and chairman of the IAMHE(R) Charitable Trust, founder of the Ethnic Business Network, and a long-standing member of the NZ Police Multicultural Advisory Board in Waikato. His work has significantly enhanced civic engagement, fostered inter community harmony, and promoted awareness of Sikh and Punjabi heritage.
His contributions have been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Hamilton Civic Award (2023) and the Art Award (2024). His involvement in landmark projects such as the Sapper Moore-Jones statue and his advocacy for migrant and
multicultural affairs continue to shape Hamilton’s inclusive identity.
Jujhar’s enduring legacy is one of service, leadership, and cultural pride—qualities that make him an inspiring figure in Aotearoa New Zealand’s diverse social fabric.
Jeevan Mathews is a driving force behind the Indian Cultural Society (Waikato), where he currently serves as Secretary and has held key roles including Treasurer and Assistant Secretary. With over 20 years of dedicated community service in Hamilton, Jeevan has been instrumental in shaping the region’s cultural celebrations and fostering unity among diverse Indian communities.
As the long-standing coordinator of the Waikato Diwali Mela an iconic event drawing over 10,000 attendees annually, Jeevan brings strategic vision, organisational excellence, and a deep commitment to cultural preservation. He also conceived and led the Waikato Indian New Year Mela, a pioneering initiative that celebrates the richness of India’s regional traditions under one vibrant umbrella.
His broader contributions to multiculturalism are reflected in his role as Vice President of the Waikato Multicultural Council and as a recipient of the Community Service Award from the New Zealand Federation of Multicultural Councils.
Neet Dhiman, Assistant Secretary, Indian Cultural Society (Waikato) Vendor Coordinator, Waikato Diwali Mela 2025
Neet Dhiman has been living in New Zealand for the past 15 years with her loving husband and two young children. With more than a decade of experience in education and community development, she now thrives as a businesswoman and Mortgage Adviser, helping families and individuals achieve their dream of home ownership. Neet is a relatively new member of Indian Cultural Society, Waikato, and is also an active member of Rotary, where she proudly represents financial advisory services and contributes to community initiatives that make a meaningful difference.
A passionate advocate for culture and community, Neet believes in fostering inclusivity, celebrating diversity, and empowering
others to grow. Diwali holds a very special place in her heart, symbolising light, unity, and new beginnings. She believes festivals like Diwali play an important role in educating and inspiring the next generation, helping young people appreciate their roots, embrace shared values, and carry forward the spirit of togetherness. Having enjoyed the festival as part of the audience in previous years, Neet feels honoured and excited to contribute this year as an executive member, helping create a vibrant and memorable celebration that brings the community closer.