To mark the 2013 Diwali festival of lights, Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi MP has presented Prime Minister John Key and Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins with specially designed NZ Post stamps at the Parliamentary celebration this evening.
“Diwali allows all New Zealanders to share in the colour and heritage of India and it’s fantastic to see so many diverse Kiwis embracing this celebration,” Mr Bakshi says.
“To reflect this fusion of Kiwi and Indian culture, this year we have specially designed stamps with a New Zealand fern and Diwali symbols.
“It is an honour to have presented these symbolic stamps to the Prime Minister and Ethnic Affairs Minister here at Parliament as we celebrate this wonderful festival with members of New Zealand’s Indian community.
Indians have a long standing history in New Zealand, with the first Indian migrants arriving in the late 1800s. Since then Indian Kiwis have become vital contributors to New Zealand’s social, cultural and economic fabric.
“Diwali, alongside other Indian and ethnic celebrations, have become permanent fixtures on New Zealand’s cultural calendar, with Diwali celebrated at Parliament for a number of years and Kiwis of all origins joining in the celebrations”, Mr Bakshi says.