Venu Menon
Wellington, November 22,2023
The welcome scene of a bipartisan gathering of political representatives seated next to each other was among the key highlights of the Diwali celebration held in Parliament on Tuesday.
Caretaker Prime Minister Chris Hipkins was on hand, along with members of Parliament, the diplomatic corps, community leaders, government officials, and other invitees, who assembled at the Banquet Hall of the House of Representatives to mark the Hindu Festival of Lights and Annakut, hosted by BAPS New Zealand, a volunteer organisation fostering Hindu values through social service.
Annakut was represented by the “mountain of food” offered up to the deities and patron saints as an expression of gratitude by the Swaminarayan community.
Recapping the message of Diwali as the triumph of light over darkness, of knowledge over ignorance, and of hope over fear, Prime Minister Hipkins said it was a message “relevant to all of us.”
He added that Diwali was an opportunity for “Indian New Zealanders to cherish their heritage, newer migrants to have a taste of home and other New Zealanders an opportunity to experience one of our many vibrant cultures and their traditions.”
Hipkins acknowledged the Kiwi Indian communities who had made “significant contributions over many decades and across various sections of our country’s socio-cultural fabric and economy.” He commended the BAPS community for providing “value-based spiritual education and create a platform for people to both preserve and promote their cultural and spiritual values.”
The PM noted in particular the role played by BAPS during the challenges posed by Covid 19.
“I know BAPS charities worked hard to supply food packets for hundreds of families here in New Zealand, demonstrating unity and care during what were unprecedented times for New Zealand and for the world,” Hipkins observed.
“When Cyclone Gabrielle wreaked devastation across the North Island, you rallied your forces and raised an impressive $40,000 through the National Walkathon,” Hipkins pointed out, adding that when it came to its “altruistic values, BAPS can walk the talk in more ways than one.”
Indian High Commission Charge d’affaires, Head of Chancery and Second Secretary (Consular) Mukesh Ghiya cited the Sanskrit phrase Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which meant the world is one family. As a festival that was celebrated all over the world, Diwali “was making the world one family,” he observed.
Second Secretary Ghiya noted with satisfaction that Diwali was celebrated in cities across New Zealand, “duly supported by local councils and various organisations.”
He commended BAPS for its service to the community and looked forward to the completion of the new mandir coming up in Wellington. He noted the “presence of a strong and active diaspora in New Zealand, its contribution to the New Zealand economy and the support it received from the New Zealand government.”
The audience saw a video screening of the charity work undertaken by BAPS among communities ravaged by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Earlier, co-hosts and Members of Parliament Melissa Lee (National) and Deborah Russell (Labour) conveyed their Diwali greetings via video while explaining their inability to attend the event in person. MPs Tim Costley (National) and Duncan Webb (Labour) spoke on behalf of Lee and Russell, respectively.
The celebration was punctuated by prayer, song and dance, which captured the mood, colour and festive spirit of Diwali. Himali Soma compered the event, while Jainesh Patel delivered a stirring welcome address.
The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is “a global, spiritual, volunteer-driven faith dedicated to improving society through individual growth by fostering the Hindu ideals of faith, unity and selfless service,” according to a pamphlet released by the organisation, which has a presence in over 60 countries.
BAPS temples host a variety of spiritual and cultural activities that engage everyone from children to the elderly, said Zankar Patel, Public Relations Lead of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha New Zealand. These activities included weekly spiritual assemblies, education seminars and cultural programmes.
Volunteers are driven by the credo of Pramukh Swami Maharaj who said, “in the joy of others lies our own.”
There are five BAPS temples across New Zealand. A new BAPS temple is under construction in the Lower Hutt suburb of Naenae in Wellington.
