Diwali at Queen's Park

This is the first time on October 10 that Diwali was celebrated at the Queen's Park (seat of Ontario Government) where the chief guest was Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty whose wife Terry was also with him.

This should now become an annual feature at the Queen's Park, suggested Indian Consul-General Satish Mehta, who was in fact the chief host. The event was co-sponsored by the Indian Consulate and the Panorama India, a community organisation.

Conservative Member of Parliament Deepak Obhrai has been celebrating Diwali at the House of Commons in Ottawa since he was first elected in 1997. This year's Diwali celebrations at the Parliamentary Buildings will be held on October 23.

The initiative to celebrate Diwali at the Queen's Park came from Consul-General Mehta who was all buoyed standing at the head of the receiving line with his wife Preeti.

"It is an honour to be with my colleagues (Ministers, Members of Ontario Legislature, etc.) to join the Indo-Canadian community across Ontario to celebrate knowledge, peace and prosperity at this special time of the year and I'm proud that we're celebrating Diwali at Queen's Park," McGuinty said in his brief remarks.

He also noted the many ways Indo-Canadians contribute to Ontario's communities, culture and economy.

"None of us is as strong as all of us working together," McGuinty suggested as "our source of strength is in the unity and together we hope for better future and stronger society for our children."

McGuinty repeated what  Mehta initially said "hosting Diwali reception is first at Queen's Park" and he was all elated about it.

Like all other 200+ guests, Ontario Premier and his wife Terry entered the Queen's Park main  dinning hall, where event was organized, with Tilak on his forehead.

"In  (January) 2007 we will see you in India where very warm welcome awaits you," Mehta said.  He was referring to Premier McGuinty's first official visit to India that's scheduled to commence on January 14.  He would go to New Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Amritsar and then on to Lahore. 

This visit will "be the watershed" in India-Ontario relations, Indian Consul-General said.  "With the help and active participation of the Indo-Canadian community I am absolutely confident we can take India-Ontario relations absolutely at new heights."

Ontario Minister for Small Businesses, Harinder Takhar, who introduced the Premier, stated  how   Mehta was supporting the provincial government in the Premier's visit to India.  "He's helpful in the planning of Premier's upcoming visit to India."

And he also noted that the Indian Consul-General "has helped us celebrate the first time Diwali here in the Legislature."

Speakers also included Opposition Leader John Tory. His wife Barbara came in a beautiful Saree. Tory explained how when they went to India in January, she got help and has now learnt to properly  tie a sacree "that has a few meters of extra material."

"Diwali reminds us that we are blessed with so much diversity in our province -- the South Asian community comes together and gives back to our province in so many ways," said McGuinty. 

He too referred to the forthcoming trade mission to India that "...will provide an even better appreciation of the ties that bind us -- the economic opportunities, our shared values, a commitment to education and a devotion to family."

"The festival of Diwali is all about hope -- especially hope for a brighter future and a stronger society for our children. I am proud we're working together to build that future in Ontario and to make our province strong," he concluded.

There were large number of political and community leaders invited to the Queen's Park for this history-making event.