MELBOURNE, 4 November 2023: The festival of lights – Diwali, spiced up the Federation Square today, as large crowds from all walks of life thronged the city centre and gave a thumbs up to multicultural Australia. This was Celebrate India’s 18th year celebrating Diwali with all the colour, music, pomp, dances classical and Bollywood, and fireworks. The day long festivities which continued till late evening saw thousands of families also in traditional ethnic wear enjoying the day.
The numerous stalls including those by sponsors HSBC, Aussizz Group, Air India, Gaura TRavel, G’day India, Indya Foods, Henna, toys, and Indian food attracted thousands.
The highlight of the day was the cultural program which continued throughout the day. The Fed. Sq. big screen reverberated with classical and Bollywood dances, songs and music. this made the program visible even from across the road from Flinders Street. Big banner flags at the Fed Sq. entry from the Flinders St. station side announced the Diwali event in progress. The music could be heard across the Flinders St. Station, the moment one came to the exit.
The VIP hour in the evening had Arun Sharma, Chairman Celebrate India, Nick Staikos MP, representing the Victorian Premier & the Multicultural Minister , and representative of the city of Melbourne, India’s Consul General in Melbourne, Dr. Sushil Kumar, Free Oldfield- MCC board chairman, Kalpana Ramani Board member of MCC, CEO of Fed Sq Katrina Sadwick, Race descrimination Commissioner Chin Tan and Former Victoria Premier Ted Baillieu.
In his welcome address Arun Sharma said it took three months with 400 artists to prepare the cultural program and the dedication of the event to ‘Beyond Blue’ was to highlight the mental health issues engulfing communities. The illumination of important sites for Diwali was a Celebrate India initiative, he said. Arun also reiterated the plea to have for those wanting Diwali as a holiday in Victoria.
Nick Staikos wished everyone a happy Diwali from the Premier and Mr Wayne Farnhamn rep the opposition leader,
said the spirit of Diwali was that we respect each others culture and the celebration of victory of good overt evil brings loved ones together.
Indian Consul General Sushil Kumar said, relations between Australia and India have taken great strides and wished the crowd a happy Diwali.
The fireworks at the end of the day was a major highlight that lit the city sky with sparkle and colour.
No doubt, the Diwali festivities at the federation Square are now the biggest in Melbourne and Australia. In its 18th year the annual event has become iconic in the city’s cultural calendar. The Celebrate India leadership and its team and all performers hard work produced this well organised and excellent cultural event. A fitting tribute to Multicultural Victoria and Australia.
