HPI
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, November 10, 2003: The Hindu Council of Australia with many other organizations arranged to celebrate Deepavali at the NSW Parliament House Sydney on October 29 to 31. Dr. Andrew Refshauge, Deputy Premier of NSW and representing the Premier, Bob Carr, attended the inauguration function. The speaker of the assembly and many other MPs, including the leader of the opposition, were there. Dr. Bala, the chairman of the Hindu Council of Australia, welcomed the guests, saying, “It has taken two hundred years to officially invite Mahalakshmi into this traditional building, I have no doubt She will shower prosperity on the current and all future NSW parliamentarians, immaterial of their political persuasion.” The inauguration was hosted by the honorable Virginia Judge, MP for Strathfield, Sydney, who dressed in a blue sari for the occasion. The function was followed by a visit to the Roof Garden, which was decorated in Deepavali style with lights. The historic event will be commemorated soon with the installation of a plaque. The lights and other festive decorations were displayed in Parliament House October 30 and 31.