Address to the Federation Chamber, Statement by Members - Dashain

Monday 16 October 2023

This week is the Nepali festival of Dashain. Last night I was privileged to attend Dashain Night in Canberra to mark the beginning of this weeklong festival. Dashain is an annual festival celebrating the victory of the goddess Durga over the demon Mahisasur, of good over evil. Celebrated by Hindu people in other South-Asian countries, it is of particular importance to Nepalese Hindus.

I joined the Canberra Nepalese community for their Dashain celebrations down the road from this house at Albert Hall. I was joined by the Nepalese Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, my good friend His Excellency Kailash Raj Pokarel, and his wife, as well as leaders from the community and from the ACT Legislative Assembly. All who attended were treated to brilliant music and art from members of the community and a taste of delicious Nepalese food provided by the team from Lakeside Gurkhas in Kingston. It was a reminder of the vibrant diversity of multicultural Australia and a reminder of our role to ensure that good prevails over evil. Dashain is one of the most important annual events in the Nepalese community, and I wish all the best to those who will be celebrating it over the next week right across this country.