“Diwali is one of the highlights of my year,” Julian Leeser

Julian Leeser MP, Federal Member for Berowra, has joined in celebrations with the local Indian Australia community in the lead-up to Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.   Mr Leeser joined the India Club for their Diwali celebrations on 7 October, celebrating the occasion with a Bollywood-style dance.   He also joined more than 40,000 people from the Indian community in Australia at the Hindu Council’s Deepavali Festival at Parramatta Park on 15 October.   Mr Leeser also delivered a speech in Hindi.  

“I have been privileged to take part in a number of festive community events to honour one of India’s most vibrant and important festivals.   Diwali is one of the highlights of my year,” Mr Leeser said.

“There are around 6,300 people with an Indian background living in Berowra.   Indian Australians enrich our community with their values of hard work, family and education.”

Mr Leeser also addressed the Hindu Council’s “Diwali on the Hill”, held in the Great Hall of Parliament House on Monday, 16 October.   “As the Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of India, I would like to wish all the people in the Indian Australian community a very happy Diwali.   The Indian community in Australia has no stronger friend than me.”

“The Australia-India relationship has never been more important. Today it is much more than just cricket and the commonwealth.   Australia’s trade with India and emerging security ties between our nations makes the relationship vital to our future.”

Celebrated on 19 October 2017, Diwali is a time of joy where family and friends come together to embrace life and prosperity in the face of trials and tribulations.   Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama and his family after 14 years of exile, during which he defeated the demon king, Ravana. To honour Lord Rama’s return and his victory, the villagers lit diyas to illuminate their path and celebrate the belief that good ultimately triumphs over evil.

Short URL: https://indiandownunder.com.au/?p=9974