More than 100 members of the Bihar and Jharkhand community came together in Auckland over the weekend for the second edition of Sharad Milan Samaroh, an afternoon filled with traditional food, warm conversations, family connections and a strong sense of belonging.
Organised by Bihar Jharkhand Sabha Australia and New Zealand, widely known as BJSM, the gathering took place on Saturday, 1 August 2026, at Junoon Indian Cuisine in Remuera.
The event brought together people from across Bihar and Jharkhand who now call New Zealand home. From young children and Gen Z participants to parents, senior citizens and founding members of the community, the gathering reflected the full strength and diversity of the growing BJSM family in Auckland.
At the centre of the celebration was one of Bihar’s most recognised and loved traditional meals, litti chokha.
But the event was about much more than food.
It was about meeting old friends, welcoming new families, preserving cultural memories and giving the next generation an opportunity to understand where their families come from.
A Second Successful Edition
Sharad Milan Samaroh 2026 followed the success of last year’s gathering, which received a positive response from the community.
This year’s event built on that foundation and attracted more than 100 attendees, making it another successful chapter in BJSM’s growing community calendar.
The gathering was led by BJSM cultural head Mr Rajesh Kumar, with support from executive members and volunteers who worked together to organise the venue, food, ticketing, guest coordination and other arrangements.
The strong turnout showed that community members were keen to reconnect and participate in an event built around familiar traditions.
For many attendees, the afternoon offered a welcome break from busy schedules and daily responsibilities.
Families sat together, shared stories, introduced their children to other community members and enjoyed food that reminded them of home.
Junoon Indian Cuisine in Remuera provided a welcoming setting for the celebration, with its team serving guests with warmth and hospitality throughout the event. The restaurant’s comfortable atmosphere and delicious food helped make Sharad Milan Samaroh 2026 an enjoyable experience for families and community members of all ages.
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Generations Coming Together
One of the most special features of the event was the presence of several generations under one roof.
Young people joined parents, grandparents, senior citizens and some of the earliest members who helped establish and strengthen the Bihar and Jharkhand community network in New Zealand.
Founding members, including Nisheeth Uncle, were pleased to see the event being organised successfully and were impressed by the participation of younger families.
Their presence added emotional significance to the gathering.
Senior members have played an important role in building the community over many years. Events such as Sharad Milan Samaroh allow younger members to recognise that contribution while also creating their own memories and connections.
The participation of Gen Z attendees also showed that cultural identity is not disappearing among younger generations.
Instead, it is finding new ways to express itself.
Tradition Meets the Digital Generation
The event also reflected how community celebrations are changing with time.
Several younger BJSM members who are active as social media creators, bloggers and influencers captured moments from the gathering through photographs, videos and short reels.
Their content helped present Bihari and Jharkhand culture in a modern and engaging format.
Traditional food, family conversations and cultural pride were shared through digital storytelling, allowing the event to reach people beyond those present at the venue.
Some reels and social media posts attracted strong engagement, showing that community-focused content can connect with both local and overseas audiences.
This combination of tradition and technology gave the event a fresh character.
The older generation brought experience, memories and cultural knowledge. The younger generation brought creativity, digital skills and a new way of sharing those traditions.
Together, they showed how community identity can remain strong while continuing to evolve.
Litti Chokha Takes Centre Stage
No Sharad Milan Samaroh would be complete without litti chokha.
The traditional dish remains deeply connected with Bihar and parts of Jharkhand. Made with roasted wheat dough balls filled with seasoned sattu and served with mashed vegetables, chutney and other accompaniments, litti chokha carries both cultural and emotional value.
For people living far from India, familiar food can create an immediate sense of connection.
The meal became a conversation starter, bringing people together around shared memories of family kitchens, village gatherings, roadside food stalls and festivals back home.
Guests enjoyed the food in a relaxed setting at Junoon Indian Cuisine, where the focus remained on conversation, hospitality and community bonding.
There was food for everyone, and the atmosphere remained lively throughout the afternoon.
A More Organised Ticketing Experience
This year, BJSM also introduced a structured digital ticketing process through Tickety.co.nz.
Tickets were sold online, with individual tickets and family tickets priced.
Guests received QR-coded tickets by email, which were scanned at the venue during entry.
The system helped organisers manage attendance more efficiently and created a smoother check-in experience for guests.
It also demonstrated how community organisations can use digital tools to improve event planning, ticket management and participation tracking without making the process complicated for families.
The organised entry process was appreciated by attendees and volunteers, who were able to focus more time on welcoming guests and managing the programme.
Volunteers Behind the Success
Community events may look simple from the outside, but their success depends on the work of people behind the scenes.
Executive members and volunteers supported the event from planning through to completion.
Their responsibilities included coordinating with the venue, managing registrations, welcoming families, checking tickets, assisting senior members and ensuring food arrangements ran smoothly.
The teamwork allowed the event to maintain a friendly and informal atmosphere while remaining properly organised.
BJSM’s volunteers also helped ensure that new attendees did not feel left out.
For families attending for the first time, this welcoming approach made it easier to connect with others and become part of the wider community.
More Than a Social Gathering
Sharad Milan Samaroh showed the importance of community organisations for migrant families living overseas.
Such gatherings help people build friendships, exchange information, support new arrivals and maintain cultural traditions.
They also give children born or raised in New Zealand an opportunity to experience the language, food and social values connected with Bihar and Jharkhand.
The event did not rely on a complicated programme or grand performances.
Its strength came from something simpler and more meaningful: people sitting together, eating together, laughing together and feeling at home.
For a few hours in Remuera, the distance between Auckland and Bihar or Jharkhand felt a little smaller.
Building a Stronger BJSM Family
The success of the second Sharad Milan Samaroh has created strong expectations for future BJSM events in Auckland.
With growing participation from families, young professionals, content creators, senior citizens and community founders, BJSM continues to develop as an inclusive platform for people connected with Bihar and Jharkhand.
The event also showed that cultural gatherings do not need to be overly formal to make an impact.
Good food, thoughtful organisation and genuine human connection were enough to create an afternoon that participants will remember.
Sharad Milan Samaroh 2026 was ultimately a celebration of identity, friendship and togetherness.
It reminded everyone present that while people may come from different cities, districts and backgrounds across Bihar and Jharkhand, they remain connected by shared traditions and a common community spirit in New Zealand.
As the official media partner of Bihar Jharkhand Sabha Australia and New Zealand, Webfit News was proud to cover Sharad Milan Samaroh 2026. It was especially meaningful for our team to document and celebrate an event organised by our own community, highlighting its culture, people and growing presence in New Zealand.
