BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, along with other Hindu organizations, supported the Hindu Council of Australia in organizing the Annual Diwali and Annakut celebrations and an inaugural Hindu Festivals Exhibition in the historic Great Hall of the Australian Federal Parliament in the nation’s capital, Canberra. The event was hosted by the Hon. David Coleman MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs and Senator the Hon Zed Seselja, Assistant Minister for Treasury and Finance.
BAPS volunteers from all across Australia interacted with Members of Parliament, Senators and employees of the federal parliament to talk about the major Hindu festivals, harmony, diversity and peace.
Senator Pauline Hanson of Queensland noted, “This has helped me gain a better understanding of Hindus and the festivals they celebrate.”
Throughout the day, over 25 high commissioners, members of parliament and senators visited the celebration and exhibition.