Bringing cultures together

It's a traditional Diwali for Bendigo's Indian communtiy

The Australian Association for Indian Culture and Education (fWCE) Inc's annual Diwali celebration, Diwali - The Festival Of LightsBringing Cultures Together, held in Bendigo at the St Andrew's Uniting Church, proved to be a grand success.

The event started with Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi aarti (prayers) From rhen on , rhe spel1born1d audience observed a fanfare of activities and culrura.l representations including a rangoli design workshop, henna and saree workshops, singing, music, and Bollywood -inAuenced Latin dances

There were food stills selling Indian, as we ll as multicultura l, dishes, toy stills, and magician Mister Jvlike, whose p lace spinning exercise kept t he young kids amused and bus y

Event ambassadors Rashi Kapoor (Miss India Melbourne) and Roshni Sharma, a well- known community personality, p layed the ro le of MCs.

AAICE Inc. expressed irs grati rude and congratulated the Vicrorian Multicultural Commission for taking the lead in supporting AAICE Inc.'s initiative of bringing cul tures together in regional Victoria and celebrating multicultural ism. The Mayor of the C ity of Greater Bendigo Barry L yons and Cr Rod Fy ffe also p ledged their support for the coming years.

In her speech, Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie, who represented the Prime Minister of

Australia Tony Abbott, read out a message from the Prime Minister, in which h e congratulated AAICE Inc. for its fantastic efforts in celebrating multiculturalism in regional

Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne He also acknowledged the contribution of Indians co the general wellbeing of Australian society and mentioned his warm relationships with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pres ident of India Pranab Mukherjee.

Amanda Millar J\,fLC represented Mard1ew Guy, Minister for Multiculmral Affairs and Ci tizenship, whiJe Janice Maree E dwards represented the Leader of the Opposition in V i ctoria, Daniel Andrews.

All the digni caries present expressed appreciation for the hard -work and efforts of Amirabh Singh, the Chai r person of AAICE Inc., and his team of executives for raking suc h great initiative.