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ROBERT KITCHEN / Things
A Hindu community group is calling for Diwali to become a public holiday in New Zealand from 2022. (File photo)
This story was originally posted on RNZ.co.nz and is being republished with permission.
A group from the Hindu community is calling for Diwali to become a public holiday in New Zealand from 2022.
The president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, Rajan Zed, said the government needs to review its holiday policies as the country’s demographics have changed.
He said it is unfair for the Hindu community to be at work or school at their most popular festival and making it a holiday would be a “step in the positive direction.”
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Zed said the awareness of other religions created by holidays like Diwali will strengthen cohesion and unity in the country.
This year’s Diwali falls on Saturday, November 14. In 2022, Diwali falls on Monday, October 24.
Wellington is celebrating the festival starting at 3pm today on the city’s waterfront with food, music, dance and art. However, the Wellington City Council says a planned fireworks display was delayed until 8:30 pm tomorrow due to the forecast of strong winds in the capital.
On the other hand, Murali Kumar, an event producer for the Communities Action Trust organizing the Wellington event, said he was not thinking of making Diwali a holiday.
ROBERT KITCHEN / Things
Dancers perform for the crowds at the Diwali Festival at the TSB Bank Arena in Wellington.
“We have a big festival once a year, where Auckland city council, as well as Wellington, local authorities and different communities come together to celebrate Diwali, so this is really a good indication of how important this festival is. … I think that’s where we need to focus and develop, “he said.
Also known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is the largest, most popular and vibrant cultural celebration for Wellington’s local Indian and Southeast Asian communities.
The lighting of lamps in this ancient festival symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and the renewal of life.
This story was originally posted on RNZ.co.nz and is being republished with permission.
