Staff Reporter
Auckland, November 11, 2020
Member of Parliament Ingrid Leary elected Member of Parliament for Taieri (Labour Party) and Dunedin City Councillor Mike Lord were among the guests at the Deepavali Celebrations organised by the Dunedin Tamil Society last weekend.
More than 200 men, women and children attended the Festival of Lights held at Taieri Bowling Club Hall on Saturday, November 7, 2020.
Dunedin Tamil Society President Dr Niv Kamalendran said that Ms Leary launched the website of the Association at the Deepavali Festival.
Website launched
“We are happy that we now have a website (www.dunedintamilsociety.org.nz) which will be a social platform for our members, guests and others to access information about the Society, our Projects and Programme, view photographs and community events. We are working to provide membership information, enrolment and other useful information. We hope that our members will use the website extensively,” he said.
Dr Niv said that Deepavali 2020 witnessed music and dance performance including the participation of the members of the Dunedin Nepalese Society.
“The variety spectrum was broad, with solo and group performances by participants of all age groups from 3 to 50 years! The audience were kept engaged with fun games during the interlude between the performances. The event closes with a sumptuous dinner comprising South Indian Cuisine, prepared by volunteers and committee members,” he said.
Office-bearers and volunteers of the Dunedin Tamil SocietyRich Tamil Culture
Dr Niv attributed the success of the event to the members of the Executive Committee, volunteers, and Sponsors including the Otago Community Trust & Lottery Grants Board, Mike Pero, Dunedin Discount Tyres, George Cars, Gravity Events, Southern City Taxis, True value cars, Indian Save Mart, A-Z Cuts, Knox Cafe & Bakery and our media partners, Indian Newslink and Dinamalar.
“The purpose of Deepavali 2020 was to pass on the heritage and richness of Tamil culture to the next generation of children who otherwise will not have the opportunity to celebrate the Festival of Lights in a land away from the home country. The Dunedin Tamil Society will continue to promote Tamil language and culture in and around Dunedin through similar events and hosting activities that engage the community,” he said.
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