Parliament's celebration of Diwali

May I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Māori, Cook Island Māori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.

Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the evening (Sign)

May I specifically greet you:  Hon John Key, Prime Minister;  Hon Pansy Wong , Minister of Ethnic Affairs, Hon Chris Carter, Member of Parliament; Mr Ratilal Champaneri the President of the New Zealand Indian Central Association, Mr Mervin Singham, the Director of the Office of Ethnic Affairs, members of Parliament; members of the Diplomatic Corps; distinguished guests otherwise; ladies and gentlemen.

In the context of today's gathering, may I add the greetings: Namaste, Namashkar, Sat Sri Akal, Kam Cho.

It was with pleasure that my wife Susan and I accepted the invitation to join you here at Parliament for this Diwali celebration.

Diwali, or the Festival of Lights as it also known, one of the biggest of the Hindu festivals, and a special time for Indian families and the Indian diaspora around the world.

Diwali is celebrated with great excitement and happiness everywhere there are people of Indian descent.

There is a great deal of preparation and activity in homes as families and friends gather to celebrate the five-day Festival.

It is a time of being with family and friends, much noise and activity, fireworks displays, of exchanging of gifts, and of course a great deal of wonderful, celebratory food.

The history of Diwali is full of legends.

Though the mode of presentation and the characters differ among the legends, the central theme of each contains the same classic truth: the victory of good over evil.

On the main auspicious day, people light candles and small oil lamps, or diyas, and place them around their houses.

Although symbolically lights are lit within and around houses, Diwali also symbolises the lighting of the lamp of knowledge within us as individuals, and in turn the importance of hope for the future for us personally.

It is a time to reflect on the year that has passed, and to look forward with courage to the year ahead.

What makes Diwali so relevant, not just to people of the Hindu religion everywhere, but to all, is that ultimately it symbolises hope, and confirms the victory of righteousness.

As such, Diwali has come to symbolise the best traditions of ancient Indian culture.

The powerful message of peace and unity is now embraced by people of different cultures and now extends far beyond India and the Indian Diaspora.

The growing numbers of New Zealanders of non-Indian origin, who also gather with relatives and friends from the Indian community to celebrate Diwali, reflects New Zealand’s growing cultural diversity and the benefit of that.

It also reminds us of the significant contribution made by the many in New Zealand of Indian descent, who have for so many years contributed fully to this country’s culture and economy.

As one born in New Zealand, but whose ancestry includes grandparents born in India, it is a matter of pleasure to observe the growing awareness of Indian culture and its traditions.

The Festival of Lights gives New Zealanders of Indian descent an opportunity to share their much-loved cultural tradition with everyone else and I am pleased to wish you all a happy Festival and a prosperous year ahead.  Dhanbadd.

On that I will close by speaking in New Zealand’s first language, Māori issuing greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavors.

No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.