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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-10-18 Daily Xml
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Indian Community

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley) (15:13): Today, I rise to talk about the absolutely amazing Indian community in my electorate of Hartley. As we know, this time of year is certainly a time of festivity as the Indian community celebrate occasions like Deepavali and Diwali. We know that the Indian community are a hardworking, aspirational and dedicated group of people and ever growing as well. I have had the absolute privilege over the years of attending many Indian festivals in my own electorate and also right across the state. I have also had the privilege of visiting India on three occasions and, on the most recent visit, actually being able to meet Prime Minister Modi, which was a real privilege and honour.

India is the largest democracy in the world and has the largest middle class in the world and, as a country, it certainly presents as an opportunity to South Australia. The Indian community here continues to enrich our state, and it has been a real privilege to be able to share in many wonderful memories with my local Indian community.

In fact, today in the parliament we shared in a Diwali celebration, and I thank the government for the bipartisan manner in which that was supported and for putting on such an occasion here in the parliament. I also recently attended a Deepavali celebration at the Adelaide Showgrounds that was held by the Hindu Council of Australia, and I thank them for their hospitality.

There were thousands of people there that day, and it is amazing to see the growth in the Indian community here in South Australia. As I said, the Indian community is a hardworking, vibrant and aspirational community, and it certainly enriches the wonderful mosaic we have here in terms of our multicultural society as well.

I made the point, at such a celebration, that they say in India that when a child is born they are also born with a cricket bat in their hands. It seems to be the case at the moment, because they are doing very well overseas in the world championships, the World Cup. The first cricket bat I bought for my son was an Indian cricket bat, and I am pleased to say he now uses it as well.

There are a whole range of Diwali and Deepavali celebrations happening; some are happening in the Riverland, some are happening out near Murray Bridge, some are happening in my own electorate, and some are happening in the various temples that exist around town. They certainly present an opportunity for the spirit of Deepavali and the spirit of Diwali to be celebrated as well.

I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone celebrating a happy Deepavali and a happy Diwali. May light shine over darkness in their life, may knowledge shine over ignorance, and may hope shine over fear in their lives as well.

I also want to thank the president of the recent organisation, Dr Viral Jani, the vice president Mrs Vani Shukla, and the hardworking executive committee members as well as the volunteers organising the celebration I attended recently. We are also seeking to host a celebration in Campbelltown in the not too distant future, and that will be absolutely fantastic.

There will also be an opportunity in the local community to participate in the rangoli design competition. This is a fantastic initiative. You see this right throughout not only India but also amongst Indian families here in South Australia. Not only will you see that decoration but you will also see celebrants illuminate their homes, their temples, their workspaces, with diyas (which are oil lamps), candles and lanterns. In Hinduism, in particular, they also have a ritual oil bath at dawn each day of the festival.

Diwali is also marked with fireworks and the decoration of floors with rangoli designs, as I said. You can see those rangoli designs; when I am out and about doorknocking in my own electorate I can actually see those.

In wrapping up, I would like to wish everyone who is celebrating a happy Deepavali and a happy Diwali. I hope that light continues to shine over darkness in the lives of the residents and also across the Indian community throughout the world. It has been an absolute pleasure and honour to be able to get to know many of these families, to see them grow and progress, and it has been fantastic to see the Indian community thriving here in South Australia. I wish them all the very best for the future. I will continue to support them as long as I am the member for Hartley, and beyond that as well.

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