On this occasion of Diwali festival, the Premier of New South Wales Mike Baird wished the community a happy Diwali after the the sails of the Sydney Opera House were lit up Thursday evening on 12th November in celebration of Diwali.
This is the second year the Opera House was lit up in a golden orange to mark the Hindu festival of light, celebrated by the global Indian community.
He spoke about the bonds between Australia and India on the festive occasion:
“We have great bonds going across our social infrastructure, and importantly as we continue to build our relationships together between India and Australia through New South Wales which is the way we like to look at it, our bonds get stronger and stronger not only through trade but through culture and through the many Indians who call New South Wales now home”
As the Opera House was about to turn into a stunning hue of orange, Premier Baird emphasised the importance of the Indian-Australian community
“As we light up the Opera House for Diwali which is the triumph of light over darkness good over evil it is also a clear signal to the world of how important multiculturalism is to New South Wales, It is of how important the Indian community is to Sydney and New South Wales So we are so proud to share this evening with our freinds and family in the Indian community and what we send is a very strong signal to the world that NSW is the home to multiculturalism and the Indian community is such an important part of who we are”
NSW Minister for multiculturalism John Ajaka, Indian Consul General Sanjay Sudhir, Chairman of Multicultural NSW Dr Harry Harinath and SBS Chairman Nihal Gupta were also present to mark this special occasion.
