Smiles writ large on the faces, dressed up in traditional attires, people from Indian, Nepalese and Bhutanese community walked up the stairs of the Parliament House, at Adelaide in South Australia to be part of the function organised in recognition of the Indian festival of Diwali.
The initiative to hold an event to acknowledge Diwali one of the main Hindu festivals, was initiated by MLC Russell Wortley and MP Dana Wortley, about four years ago, in association with Multicultural Liaison officer Monika Kumar.
This was the fourth event organised in a row for Diwali. A similar event will be held on November 23, in recognition of Bandi Chor and Gurpurab in the Parliament House.
The event started with a prayer sung by children from Saraswati Community School, followed by welcome address by MP Dana Wortley.
MP Wortley said, “The event is held to acknowledge Diwali, the main festival of Hindu community and Tihar festival celebrated by the Nepalese and Bhutanese community.” The MP also touched upon the long stay parent visa which is pending in the parliament.
MLC Russell Wortley added, “We are well aware of the different concerns raised by the community especially long stay parent visa. I have seen the community grow over the years in Adelaide.”
Arvind Duggal, campaign founder long stay parent visa, said, "Diwali is not just festival of lights but the day of reunion. Lord Rama reunited with his family after 14-years-exile. Drawing a parallel he said similarly the community also looks up to getting reunited with their parents through long stay parent visa in Australia.”
Shadow Minister for Multicultural affairs, Katrine Hildyard greeting community during Diwali celebrations said, “We believe in having a South Australian community, that is respectful, welcoming to all cultures and fair to everyone. Our strength in South Australia is in our diversity. “
Source: Supplied
“I like the message on Diwali which means the triumph of good over evil, light over dark, knowledge over ignorance; which is quite relevant across the globe during these times.”
The leader of the opposition, MP Peter Malinauskas said, “ In South Australia, we share each others cultures in a very harmonious way. We should share each others culture and knowledge and encourage diversity in South Australia.
"In South Australia, the democratic model is the representation of so many good things about the nation and its humanity and India is one of the biggest democracy in the world for a while. “
The political leaders from the labor party also lit battery candles as a token of Diwali festivities.
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