MILTON, CANADA, March 17, 2014 (Weekly Voice): This small city west of Mississauga is the latest to approve Diwali fireworks as its council unanimously voted to amend a town fireworks bylaw, granting the fall celebration equal status with Victoria Day and Canada Day. The five-day festival, scheduled for October 23 this year, is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists and other South Asian religions. Also known as the festival of lights, Diwali holds spiritual significance in the lighting of lamps, candles and fireworks.
Under the previous bylaw, a $47 permit was required for those wanting to discharge family fireworks. That fee is waived for Victoria Day, Canada Day, and now Diwali. The by-law will stipulate that Diwali celebrant still have to go through a permit process and clear safety concerns.
Niraj Thakkar of non-profit group Halton Gujarati Samaj told the council “without the fireworks, Diwali is not complete.” Thakkar says that the Halton Gujarati Samaj members worked tirelessly to approve the above amendment of bylaw by constantly calling each councilor and flooding the town hall on the day voting for amendment was to happen.