Members statements
Diwali and Annakut
Lily D’AMBROSIO (Mill Park – Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (09:38): I rise today to speak about my recent visit to the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Mill Park to celebrate Diwali and Annakut. I attended representing the Premier and the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, alongside the member for Thomastown, the member for Yan Yean and Bernadene Voss, the CEO of Big Group Hug. The Annakut, meaning ‘a mountain of food’, was beautifully presented as a spiritual offering with hundreds of hours of work put in by the community, and children especially, to make this very special occasion possible. As part of this year’s celebration the BAPS donated 50 prams to the Big Group Hug, items that have been in high demand in recent times. This was an amazing display of generosity from the BAPS and symbolises perfectly the victory of good over evil. Thanks to the BAPS committee for extending an invitation and allowing me to be part of this important spiritual day. A particular mention to Pulin Amin and Shital Patel.