“Beautiful principles that we want to hand to the next generation of young Australians” says NSW Premier about Diwali

NSW is celebrating the global festival of Diwali, commemorating the triumph of light over darkness. 

The Hindu festival of lights (also known as Deepavali) is celebrated each year on the 15th Day of the ‘Kartik’ month (eight month according to the Hindu calendar) on Amavasya (new moon).

It is commonly celebrated by lighting small oil lamps called diyas, which symbolises the lifting of spiritual darkness and the renewal of life, and is a time to pray for health, knowledge and peace.  

It is the culmination of month-long celebrations, when people from the Indian subcontinental and Southeast Asian communities wear new colourful clothes, decorate their houses with festive lighting, and exchange gifts and sweets with relatives and friends.   

The event is of great significance to the Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist communities and has been celebrated by the NSW Government since 2011.   

Premier Chris Minns hosted the annual NSW Government’s Diwali celebrations at the Museum of Contemporary Arts at The Rocks. 

Pandit Jatinkumar Bhatt from Sri Temple Sydney putting Tilak and Kalava on Premier Chris Minns, Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey and Multicultural Minister Steve Kamper

Happens only in Australia! NSW Premier @ChrisMinnsMP, Treasurer @dmookheyMLC, Minister @SteveKamperMP and Opposition Leader @MarkSpeakman with Tilak and Kalava for Diwali celebrations by @m_culturalnsw @Pallavi_Aus @EthnicLinkGuru @DrAmitSarwal @SarahLGates1 @subhash_kak pic.twitter.com/ililYFuImN

— The Australia Today (@TheAusToday) November 7, 2023

Music, dance and traditional ceremonies were highlighted, focusing on the spirit of bringing people together.   

Unmissable!
'Om Namah Shivaya' and 'Ekdantaya Vakratundaya' in Sydney with iconic Harbour Bridge as backdrop at Diwali celebrations by @m_culturalnsw by Samskriti School of Dance at @MCA_Australia @Pallavi_Aus @EthnicLinkGuru @DrAmitSarwal @SarahLGates1 @rishi_suri pic.twitter.com/0A6u7KEgoO

— The Australia Today (@TheAusToday) November 8, 2023

Speaking at the Diwali celebrations, Premier Minns said,

“I want to wish everyone celebrating across NSW a Happy Diwali. 

“Diwali recognises the triumph of the human spirit, through the festival of light and I can’t think of a better place to celebrate this wonderful day, than here in our multicultural state.

 

Premier Minns also said that there are only a couple of events in the calendar that can get Labour, Liberal and Independent politicians together and Diwali was one of them.

NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper also wished everyone a very Happy Diwali

“We wish all who celebrate, good health and a happy Diwali.” 

“Diwali is a celebration of light over darkness and good over evil. Let us allow the light to always triumph.”   

“We share in the rich social mosaic that makes us one of the most successful multicultural states in the world.” 

^{Glimpses from Diwali celebrations by NSW Government (Images: @Salty Dingo 2023, NSW Government, The Australia Today)}

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