Waitakere Diwali Celebrates Hope, Love and Service

After a gap of two years, the much anticipated and loved Waitakere Diwali was back in large number at the Trust Arena on Sunday 9 October 2022.

New Zealand is built on its diversity, and we honour the symbols and traditions of Kiwis who have made our country what it is today. Kiwi Indians are an important part of our social and cultural fabric, and Diwali is a time to celebrate community, family, and hope for the future. That’s why we must celebrate Diwali each year and recognize its significance, says Sunil Kaushal, President – Waitakere Indian Association.

Waitakere Indian Association (WIA) was the first Indian community organisation to celebrate Diwali within public in 2000. From a small number of hundreds, it has grown to over ten thousand people from every walk of life, religion and ethnicity attending this much-loved event, which is in its 22nd year celebration with the community.

This year the event was celebrated on Sunday 9th October at The Trusts Arena, Central Park Drive, Henderson. Besides the food, classical and Bollywood dances and spectacular Fireworks to finish the show, there were over 300 performers.

Over the years, Waitakere Indian Association has played an important role in serving the community in West Auckland and advocating issues relating to the Indian Diaspora. WIA recognises that in a multicultural Auckland, there is multinationalism in the Indian Diaspora too. The Indian diaspora in west not only represents Indian and Fijian born residents but also from other parts of the world like Africa, America, Europe. WIA has also reached out to the local communities when it comes to the safety of our community or advocating issues pertaining to religious last rites. WIA also supports the local and New Zealand’s largest Hindi School – the Waitakere Hindi School.

While the reasons for what it commemorates, Diwali is a time for dana (charitable giving) and seva (selfless service).  The alleviation of tangible forms of suffering, such as hunger, disease, and poverty, is an essential component of the Hindu tradition. Service is worship, no less than performing a puja or practicing meditation or studying scripture.

In the spirit of Diwali, WIA urges you to donate your time and resources for the upliftment of those in need.  Remember to support your favourite charities this Diwali through both dana and seva.

“Give. Give with faith. Do not give without faith. Give with sensitivity. Give with a feeling of abundance. Give with right understanding.” – Taittiriya Upanishad

For more information, you can connect with Waitakere Indian Association via Facebook /waitakereindianassociation