The Parliament of South Australia celebrates Indian Festivals

First ever Prakash of Guru Granth Saheb ji in SA Parliament

By: Daljeet Bakshi

The Hon Russell Wortley MLC ( Labor ) and Dana Wortley MP (Labor ) - Member for Torrens hosted Diwali celebration, Bandi Chorr Diwas and Guru Nanak Dev ji Gurpurab in the hall of Parliament house of South Australia . Due to the limitation of the number of attendees these program were divided in 2 separate Diwali celebrations and 1 Gurpurab celebrations.

The Hon Steve Georganas MP attended these events .Madhav Bhatt addressed the gathering about about Diwali festival .

Its worthwhile to mention that the special Diwali 2021 celebrations at the Parliament House of SA, organised by Hon Russell Wortley MLC and Dana Wortley MP - Member for Torrens turned out to be a good platform for discussions about various issues in the Indian communities in attendance of representatives of associations / groups.

Other Issues such as parents long stay visa , expensive air fares, no clarity about students visas, no clarity about quarantine from 23/11 when restrictions are easing , were the issues discussed with The Hon Russell Wortley and The Hon Steve Georganas.

On the auspicious Occassion of birth

anniversary Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji , Prakash of Sri Guru Granth Saheb ji was done in the Hall of Parliament of South Australia.

It was a historical moment in the history of South Australia Parliament , when to mark the occasion celebrating the Prakash Purab ( Birthday ) of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji and Bandi Chorr diwas, first time ever ,the Prakash of sacred Sri Guru Granth Saheb ji was done in the Parliament Hall .

All necessary permissions were taken and arrangements were been made to make this occasion a remarkable one .

As per Sikh Rehat Maryada , Panj Pyaraas lead the religious procession , Holy Saroop (Sri Guru Granth Saheb ji ) Prakash was done . After Japji Saheb , Anand Saheb and Kirtan , Ardas ( Prayer ) was done .The Sikh Temple Glen Osmond did sewa of kirtan and Karha Parshad and The Sarbat Khalsa Gurudwara Saheb Prospect did sewa of arrangements in relation to the Prakash of Sri Guru Granth Saheb ji . The Hon Peter Malinauskas MP Labor ( Leader of the Opposition ) , The Hon Steve Georganas Federal MP ( Labor ) were present during the Gurpurab Celebrations .

These three events witnessed presence of Representatives of few community associations and temples and invited guests .

The community members lauded the efforts of The Hon Russell Wortly MLC , Dana Wortley MP for hosting these celebrations in the Parliament Hall .

Monika Kumar and Dhruv Kumar organised the smooth flow of these events. Jimmy Singh , Gaurav Monga , Jolly , captured these moments of celebrations on the Parliament House .