Thursday, 31 October 2024

 Bronwyn HALFPENNY (Thomastown) (10:18): I would like to also wish the Indian Australian community a very happy Diwali. The Festival of Lights is a time of festivity, celebration and family. Diwali at its roots is a Hindu religious celebration symbolising the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and good over evil. However, at all the Diwali events that I have the pleasure of attending, I see very multifaith and multicultural participation. While having deep cultural and religious meaning, it is a festival that is shared generously with all.

The northern suburbs, I am bold enough to say, holds one of the largest and most impressive Diwali events in the state of Victoria, and it is organised by Nista and Sunil Gol and the many, many volunteers of Mission Smile events. We celebrated Diwali in the north last Sunday; however, yesterday, 30 October, was the first day of the five-day celebration. It was also exciting to attend the Premier’s Diwali gala on Saturday night and join with many friends and colleagues of the Indian Australian community. Joining me on my table were good friends Satnam and Deepika, Vishal and Shinderpal, Chaman, Amar, Johnson and Tijo, representing the Sikh, Hindu and Syro-Malabar Catholic faiths.