Indian-Origin Duo Makes History with Royal New Zealand Honours for Services to IT and Community
Bengaluru: In a landmark moment for the Indian diaspora, Sunit Prakash and Lalita Kasanji, dual citizens of New Zealand and Australia, have become the first individuals of Indian origin to be honoured with Membership in the New Zealand Order of Merit for their outstanding services to the Information Technology industry and the Indian community.
This prestigious recognition—comparable to India's Padma awards—celebrates individuals who have rendered exceptional service to the nation and demonstrated remarkable contributions in their field. Since its inception in 1995, only about fifteen individuals have been recognised for contributions to IT in New Zealand, making this a historic first for the Indian community.
The husband-wife duo's most significant contribution is the founding of the New Zealand Centre for Digital Connections with India in 2023. The initiative aims to bridge the digital and technological ecosystems between New Zealand and India—one of the world's fastest-growing tech powerhouses. Their research, combining global tech insight with socio-cultural analysis, revealed that Indian IT professionals contribute over NZ$350 million annually to New Zealand's economy.
'They bring not just technical skills, but invaluable cross-cultural insight, global experience, and deep industry connections,' said the duo, who are now national figures in promoting Indo-NZ tech collaboration. Their findings led to the first recommendation for a government-led IT and Digital Trade Delegation to India, positioning New Zealand to strengthen its trade ties and innovation partnerships with India—particularly relevant as FTA discussions between the nations gain momentum.
'Sunlight is a powerful disinfectant, and we are bringing a magnifying glass,' remarked Sunit Prakash, underscoring their mission to shed light on the underappreciated contributions of Indian IT professionals.
Lalita Kasanji, whose family has lived in Wellington since 1912, observed, 'Until I met Sunit, Digital India and the new wave of Indian immigrants were largely invisible to New Zealand. That perception has now begun to change—especially after Prime Minister Luxon's recent visit to India.'
The couple's work has also resulted in the creation of a first-of-its-kind, curated and engaged digital community, giving a platform to thousands of Indian-origin tech professionals in New Zealand to grow, connect, and influence.
Their recognition adds to a family legacy of service. Lalita's mother, Ruxmani Kasanji, was similarly honoured with the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2019 for her work with the Indian community. Their son, Arjun Prakash, continues the tradition of excellence as a Quad Fellow currently pursuing a PhD in Artificial Intelligence in the United States.
Through their visionary leadership and tireless community-building, Sunit Prakash and Lalita Kasanji have not only elevated the Indian presence in New Zealand's tech sector but have also created a model of collaborative, cross-cultural innovation for the world to follow.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
9 minutes ago
- Business Standard
India remains key strategic market for global brands: Myntra CEO Sinha
India continues to be a strategic market for both global and domestic brands, said Myntra CEO Nandita Sinha. She made the remarks after attending the NRF 25 retail event held in Singapore from 3 to 6 June. Following the e-commerce major's launch in Singapore on 19 May, Myntra Global has reported growing user engagement, a healthy average order value and a notable share of returning customers. Singapore launch 'With the launch of Myntra Global in Singapore, we're also laying the foundation for our global foray, with a long-term aspiration to serve the Indian diaspora beyond India,' Sinha said. The company in May said that it aims to assess consumer preferences, selection patterns and brand traction before planning wider expansion. Initial targets include reaching 12–15 per cent of the Indian consumer base in Singapore. The Walmart-owned company is currently targeting the 650,000 Indians living in Singapore. Sinha noted that the company's India-based platform had already recorded around 30,000 users from Singapore prior to the launch. 'We're tapping into opportunities around festivals, weddings and occasions with our brand portfolio, spanning Indian fashion and home décor,' Sinha had said in May. 'For now, our focus is on learning, getting product–market fit right and then expanding.' 'At less than 15 per cent, e-fashion in India is still significantly underpenetrated compared to global benchmarks, presenting a tremendous opportunity,' she said. Sinha added, 'The new-age insurgent brands are tailoring their value proposition,' while highlighting the Indian market's rising importance. Customer segment A key focus for Myntra is the Gen Z customer segment, which interacts with fashion differently and expects a customised shopping experience. 'The aspirational Indian shopper is trading up across beauty, accessories and occasion-wear, and Myntra, as one of India's leading e-lifestyle destinations, is well poised to cater to the aspirational and evolving customer needs,' Sinha said.
Time of India
13 minutes ago
- Time of India
Why do India's brightest find Harvard easier to enter than IITs?
It sounds different at first, how could one of the world's most prestigious Ivy League institutions be more accessible than India's own engineering strongholds? But for thousands of Indian students each year, that's the sobering reality. Harvard, with its global reputation and ultra-selective admissions, is seen as the pinnacle of academic achievement. Yet for many top Indian students, clearing the difficult Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) for the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) feels even harder. Statistically, they're right. While Harvard accepts about 3% to 5% of applicants, the top IITs admit less than 0.2%, a competition so fierce it borders on the impossible, according to The Economist. And the pressure isn't just numerical, it's cultural, psychological, and systemic. A test of endurance, not excellence India's entrance exams are unforgiving. Students begin preparing years in advance, often sacrificing adolescence for a shot at a seat in IITs or IIMs. In coaching towns like Kota, teenagers live regimented lives, measured not in experiences but in mock tests, cutoffs, and daily rankings. Contrast that with American universities like Harvard, which adopt a holistic admissions process, one that considers essays, recommendation letters, extracurriculars, and personal character alongside academic merit. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo In short, they assess potential, not just performance. Rejection at home, recognition abroad This paradox plays out year after year: Students who are denied entry into India's top institutes end up accepted by Ivy League schools. It isn't that they're less intelligent; it's that India's system is designed as a sieve, not a searchlight. It filters ruthlessly, often overlooking creative thinkers, late bloomers, and non-conformists. Over 60% of the top 100 IIT rankers still leave India for graduate studies abroad. And now, many who fail to enter IITs at all are finding prestigious opportunities in the West, because, in many ways, they are finally being seen. A pipeline built on pressure According to The Economist, nearly one-third of all international students in the US are Indian. Many pursue STEM fields, drawn by flexible curricula, research opportunities, and comparatively less cut-throat undergraduate admissions. It's no surprise, then that even with volatile visa policies and occasional political hostility, like those during Donald Trump's presidency, Indian students continue to look West. Germany, Canada, and even the Netherlands are emerging as new favourites for Indian families wary of the IIT rat race. These countries offer not just quality education but a reprieve from the emotional toll exacted by India's hyper-competitive model. What does this say about India's system? That Harvard might be more accessible than an IIT is not a compliment to American universities; it's an indictment of India's own educational gatekeeping. Our brightest minds should not have to seek validation from abroad because their potential wasn't shaped into the narrow mold demanded by entrance tests. The question isn't whether Indian students are capable enough for the Ivy League. Clearly, they are. The question is: Why must they leave India to feel worthy? Until we reimagine our idea of merit—from a single number on an answer sheet to a fuller picture of capability and creativity, India will keep exporting talent it fails to nurture. Harvard may keep opening its doors. But shouldn't India do the same? Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Mint
18 minutes ago
- Mint
Buy or sell: Ganesh Dongre of Anand Rathi recommends three stocks to buy on Monday — 9 June 2025
Buy or Sell: The Indian benchmark indices snapped a two-week losing streak, posting nearly a 1% gain for the week ended June 6, buoyed by a dual boost from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The central bank delivered a surprise 50 bps cut in the repo rate along with a 100-bps reduction in the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), significantly improving market sentiment. For the week, the BSE Sensex added 737.98 points or 0.9%, closing at 82,188.99, while the Nifty 50 surged 252.35 points to end at 25,003.05. A key driver of this rally was India's robust GDP growth of 7.4% in the January–March quarter of FY 2024–25, beating market expectations and marking the highest quarterly expansion in the past year. Globally, equity markets remained buoyant, supported by signs of easing inflation, which further bolstered investor sentiment in domestic markets. Sectorally, the Realty index led the gains with a nearly 10% surge, while Metal and PSU Bank indices rose around 2% each, reflecting strong broad-based participation. Technically, Nifty continues to consolidate within a well-defined range of 24,500 - 25,200, holding this zone for the past two weeks. The index gained momentum post the RBI announcements and touched the upper band of this range at 25,200, which also coincides with the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement of the recent down move. The previous resistance near 25,200 - 25300 is important level to watch for the next week closing, A sustained close above this level would be significant, potentially opening the door for an upside move toward 25,600 - 26,000 marks, Conversely, a break below 24,500 could indicate a short-term pause or mild correction, especially amidst lingering global uncertainties. The Bank Nifty index reacted sharply to the CRR cut, rallying nearly 800 points intraday and closing the week at a strong 56,500. The index now faces immediate resistance at the 57,000 marks, while key support is placed around 55,000. A decisive move above 57,000 could pave the way for a fresh uptrend toward 58,500, while any dip toward 55,000 is expected to attract buying interest. On a broader time frame, both Nifty and Bank Nifty have ended the week above their respective monthly support levels 23,800 for Nifty and 53,000 for Bank Nifty—signaling sustained bullish sentiment. Long-term structural supports remain at 21,700 for Nifty and 51,500 for Bank Nifty, serving as critical benchmarks for initiating fresh long positions. Traders are advised to keep a close watch on resistance levels at 25,300 (Nifty) and 57,000 (Bank Nifty), while staying vigilant of global developments and geopolitical factors that may sway market direction in the near term. 1. Bharat Forge Ltd (BHARATFORG): Buy at ₹ 1,280 - 1,300; Target Price at ₹ 1,360; Stop Loss at ₹ 1,230. 2. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MAZDOCK): Buy at ₹ 3,390 - 3,410; Target Price at ₹ 3,600; Stop Loss at ₹ 3,325. 3. National Aluminium Company Ltd (NATIONALUM): Buy at ₹ 188 - ₹ 191; Target Price at ₹ 205; Stop Loss at ₹ 174. Disclaimer: The views and recommendations above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, not Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.
