Human Rights and Minority Affairs Department (HR&MA), Government of Punjab in collaboration with Bargad organization celebrated Diwali in a local hotel.
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.
MinisterIjazAlamAugustines during his welcome note wished Dewali to Hindu community and said that Hindus are 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 religious 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.
Hindus Speaker Amarnath Randhawa briefed about the history of Diwali, said Diwali is an important religious festival in the Hindu calendar as it marks the day of Lord Rama’s return home after a 14-year exile and his victory over Raavan. The day is also linked with birth of Lakshami Devi.
He also appreciated the joint celebrations of Dewali 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.
