Canada
Prime Minister Celebrates Diwali on Parliament Hill with NRIs
Ottawa, Nov. 10, 2007
Balwinder sINGH
More than 300 NRIs including 40 members of Parliament and 9 Indo-Canadians
organisations participated in the Diwali on Parliament
Hill, Ottawa, Canada.
Celebrating
Diwali at Canada's Parliament Hill, Prime Minister Stephen Harper
has said:
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
Namaste.
Before I begin, I would like to thank Deepak for his kind introduction.
Deepak, as many of you know, has been doing a great job in his
role as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign
Affairs. Deepak has been playing an instrumental role in building
bridges between Canada’s New Government and the Indo-Canadian
community.
And, most importantly, it is because of his efforts that we are
gathered here for this seventh annual celebration of Diwali on
Parliament Hill.So give Deepak a big hand.
Friends, it’s a great honour to join with you here tonight.As
you’re well aware, Diwali, or the Festival of Lights as
it’s otherwise known, is one of the great Hindu festivals.Every
year it is celebrated by hundreds of millions of people around
the world.
The importance of Diwali cannot be overstated, as the festival
symbolizes the most eternal of themes.The renewal of life. And
the triumph of good over evil.
As you gather with your loved ones to celebrate this joyous occasion,
please know that the thoughts of Canada’s New Government
are with you.I would also like to take this opportunity to wish
Muslim Canadians a joyous and spirited Eid Mubarak. Now, I believe
that tonight’s event serves a dual purpose.
Needless to say, we are here first and foremost to celebrate
the great festival of Diwali.But we are here for another reason
as well.We are here to celebrate one of our country’s greatest
strengths – its commitment to pluralism.
Since its birth, Canada has bound together individuals of varying
ethnic and religious backgrounds in pursuit of a common goal –
to build a peaceful, prosperous country rooted in equality of
opportunity.The contribution made by the Indo-Canadian community
to this endeavour has been particularly noteworthy.
Fuelled by an unshakeable work ethic and commitment to family
and community, Indo Canadians are helping to build a stronger,
better Canada for us.A country in which where you’re going
matters more than where you’re from.A country that is united
at home and respected abroad. A country that is unwavering in
its commitment to freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule
of law for all people of the world.
In short, a country of which we can all be proud.
In closing, I would once again like to offer my best wishes for
a most enjoyable, memorable, and happy Diwali.
Namaste.
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In Toronto, Capitalizing on the joyous mood,
Diwali-themed fundraisers have proliferated in the GTA. The largest,
Trillium Health Centre's Diwali gala, attracted 900 this year
and raised more than $600,000.
HSBC Bank at 14th year and CIBC for the first time celebrated
Diwali patries for their NRI staff and NRIcustomers
Subbu Chintaluri, executive director of the Gerrard India Bazaar
said, "Here, you cannot do that because it would be a fire
hazard and most South Asians string colourful lights on their
homes, giving some neighbours the impression they're just over-eager
for Christmas.
Vancouver Celebrates Diwali was a partnership
between the City of Vancouver, Vancouver Park Board, and business
and community partners, and is sponsored by South Vancouver Neighbourhood
House. A massive showcase highlighting the various classical and
folk arts of India featuring the top performing artists from BC.
Also featuring handicraft, mendhi, clothing and food vendors,
and dance workshops!.
