SACLG Diwali festival Celebration
SACLG South Asian Community Link Group, one of the prestigious associations in Melbourne, and known for amalgamation of South Asian Community with Australian culture has celebrated the Diwali Festival (FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS).
SACLG team is known for its team work ethics and that’s how successes of various events have been proclaimed.
Mr Deepak Vinayak (Patron), Dr. Sonia Singh (Vice-president) along with Dr. Raju Adhikari’s (President) leadership conceptualized this idea which was very executed by Dr. Taniya Jay (Head of Youth projects) and Mr. Dharinder Singh Sohal ( Executive member).Mr. Saksham Katyal (Executive member), Mr. Satinder Chawla (Joint Secretary), Ms. Taruna Chaudhary (Executive member) along with Mr. Angpal Singh (Secretary) colalborated, supported echoed the same inclusive principles to all the attendees.
All the attendees were high profile guests who gathered in a train carriage section at Tandoori Maharaja Restaurant at High Street Preston to Celebrate Diwali with the theme:
“Diwali Celebration with Modern South Asian Traditions wrapped in old cultural values”
The event was divided into two segments:
- Cultural welcome and celebration with diverse community representatives and
- Networking with community leaders to share visions and goals towards harmonious Society
From the concierge to food and the experience, it was truly an Indian style Diwali. SACLG team has been successfully bringing communities together from different religions (Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Budhist, Christians), different nationalities (9 different nationalities), various not for profit organisations (9 different organisations) and leaders form various political parties (Liberal, Labor and Greens). “This has been a unique and one of the most enjoyable experience of Diwali for me”- said Hon Colin Brooks (Speaker of the Legislative Assembly)
It was interesting see all major political parties and some interfaith leaders on one platform to celebrate Diwali.
Some of the Key guests were:
- Hon Colin Brooks (Speaker of the Legislative Assembly)
- Colleen Hartland – MP,
- Samantha Rathnam -Leader of the Greens party
- Andrew Lezala- CEO Metro Trains, (and his wife – Helen)
- Dr.Mimie Claudine Chi Watts -VMC Commissioner,
- Jennifer Yang – ex Mayor Manningham
- Amita Gill – candidate for the Liberal Party
- Rakesh Razaida – President and founder of Ramon Helps Inc.
- Monica Sharma Raizada – President and Founder of Women of Wyndham
- Ash Dixit – Leading Senior Constable and community Liaison officer
- Br. Rana Jeved Shahid – Representative and leader of Pakistani Association and Pehchaan group
- Community organisations representatives from Let’s Feed organisation, Landmark Community Sports Club, Ramon Helps,
- Mr. Jeevan Bala
- Virosh Parera – Popular Community leader and founder of Srilankan Awards
In Virosh’s words: “Diwali Diwali Diwali… it’s on the streets of Melbourne, Sydney, and all over world and is celebrated in true family & corporate in the last few days. Recognizing and including cultural values of other communities is a big enough art of the Australian culture and that makes Australia proud.
The most livable city on earth lived up to the expectation of celebrations. I have seen, I have heard the celebrations of the communities and its magnitude. The community when leave their countries, they carry the memories from where they come from; Fiji, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, India Singapore Sri Lanka or Africa there is lot of traditions involved with Diwali and they enjoy a little taste right here in Melbourne.
It’s also sharing the experience with other communities is the beauty of the story. Just like in the Bollywood movies you are dragged into to the cultural celebrations. Lighting the lamp or putting colour in your forehead part of the ritual. I have enjoyed what SACLG is doing right now – an effort to link communities and keeping their traditions alive.”
Vice-president and community Leader Dr Sonia Singh was the MC for the night and orchestrated the event beautifully.
Vote of thanks is always a gesture to authenticate the gracious presence of the guests and team members. Dr. Raju Adhikari (as leader of SACLG) conveyed the Vote of Thanks to all the elite guests and team members.
Overall a great event organised by SACLG team and committed to promote harmony and intercultural understanding in Australian Society for a better future.