Lahore,(Parliament Times): Human Rights and Minority Affairs Department (HR&MA), Government of Punjab in collaboration with Bargad organization celebrated Diwali in a local hotel in Lahore. The celebrations featured kindling of oil lamps, cake cutting, sweets and fruit distribution, vegetarian dinner and enthusiastic messages by dignitaries and faith leaders to show solidarity with the Hindu community in Pakistan.
Members of all major religions celebrated Diwali, including the dignitaries Punjab Minister for Human Rights and Minority Affairs Mr. Ijaz Alam Augustine; Parliamentary Secretary for HR&MA, Mahinder Pall Singh (MPA); Punjab; Secretary and Deputy Secretary, HR&MA Mr Nadeem-ur-Rehman, and Muhammad Yousaf; MPAs Ms. Sadia Sohail, Ms. Bushra Butt and Ms. Uzma Kardar, and Executive Director, Bargad Sabiha Shaheen,. Minister Ijaz Alam Augustine said during his welcome note that Hindu community is integral part of Pakistan and our bouquet of diversity is incomplete without them. He said that the HR&MA department is working very hard to ensure rights of all the minorities and provide equal opportunities in all fields of life to progress and grow living in Punjab. He highlighted that HR&MA department has been celebrating the Diwali for the last three years in collaboration with Bargad.
Mahinder Pall Singh, Parliamentary Secretary for HR&MA, Punjab briefed about the history of Diwali, which signifies spiritual uplift and victory of light over darkness. Its rituals normally last for five days, with the climax occurring on the third day that coincides with the darkest night of the Hindu lunisolar month Kartika. He said all the people living in Pakistan are one nation and joint celebrations like these are an important feature of celebrating the diversity we have as one nation.
Mr. Nadeem-ur-Rehman, Secretary HR&MA appreciated the joint celebrations of Diwali and said that a joint message from Pakistan would reach today to the whole world that we all are one nation and we all love and respect each other.
Other dignitaries also spoke during the joint celebrations of Diwali to spread a message of solidarity with members of other religions in Pakistan.
Students from different universities also participated in the celebration and for many it was a first time experience that led to greater understanding of Pakistan’s cultural richness.