Indian Newslink October 15 2016 Digital Edition

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Diwali 2016 Special
OCTOBER 15, 2016
Celebrating Love, Service and Hope
Sunil Kaushal
New Zealand is built on its
diversity, and we honour
the symbols and traditions
of Kiwis who have
made our country what it is today.
Kiwi Indians are an important
part of our social and cultural fabric,
and Diwali is a time to celebrate
community, family, and hope
for the future.
“That’s why we celebrate Diwali
each year and recognise its significance,”
says Waitakere Indian
Association President Mahendra
Sharma.
Diwali represents a time of year
when Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains
throughout the world celebrate important,
time-honoured festivals.
Religious significance
For Hindus, Diwali is one of the
most important festivals of the
year, and it symbolises the victory
of knowledge over ignorance and
good over evil.
Hindus celebrate this triumph
by lighting small earthen lamps
around their homes and praying
for health, knowledge, peace, and
prosperity in the coming year.
In addition to the spiritual significance
the day holds for Hindus,
Sikhs celebrate the release of the
Sixth Guru, Hargobind, from captivity
by the Mughal Emperor
Waitakere Diwali promotes young talent
Jehangir, and Jains commemorate
Diwali as the day Lord Mahavira,
the last of the Tirthankaras, attained
Nirvana, or liberation, after
his death in 527 BC.
Primary Association
Waitakere Indian Association
(WIA) was the first Indian community
organisation to celebrate
Diwali with the public in 2000.
From a small number of hundreds,
it has grown to over 10,000
people from all walks of life, religion
and ethnicity attending this
much loved event, which is in its
16th year celebration with the
community.
This year, the event is being
celebrated on Labour weekend
(Sunday, October 23) at Te
Pai Courts on Lincoln Road,
Henderson. Besides food, classical,
Bollywood dances and spectacular
Fireworks, WIA is also proud to
host the world-leading Ram Leela
artiste from Uttar Pradesh, India.
Shri Ram Mandir in Henderson
will also host a two-day conference
with these artistes on October 22
and October 23, 2016.
Community connection
Over the years, WIA has played
an important role in serving the
community in West Auckland, advocating
issues relating to the
Indian Diaspora.
The Association recognises that
in multicultural Auckland, there
is multinationalism in the Indian
Diaspora too.
The Indian community in West
Auckland not only represents
Indian and Fijian born residents
but also from other parts of the
world including Africa, America
and Europe.
WIA has also reached out to the
local communities on matters of
safety and security and advocating
issues pertaining to religious
last rites.
The Association supports the
Ram Leela,’ a perfect example of disciplined life
Waitakere Diwali is also good for shpping
Waitakere Hindi School, New
Zealand’s largest Hindi language
school.
Charity and Service
Diwali is a time for dana (charity)
and Seva (service).
The alleviation of tangible forms
of suffering such as hunger, disease
and poverty, is an essential component
of the Hindu tradition.
Service is worship, no less than
performing a Pooja, practicing
meditation or studying scripture.
In the spirit of Diwali, WIA urges
you to donate your time and resources
for the upliftment of those
in need in our community.
Please support your favourite
charities this Diwali through both
dana and Seva.
As Taittiriya Upanishad says,
“Give. Give with faith. Do not give
without faith. Give with sensitivity.
Give with a feeling of abundance.
Give with right understanding.”
For more information,
please email wia.admin@gmail.
com or follow us on Facebook
(waitakereindianassociation).