21st National Diwali on Parliament Hill (Virtual)

21st National Diwali celebration on Parliament Hill (virtual) hosted by Overseas Friends of India Canada, Todd Doherty, M.P. Cariboo-Prince George, Deepak Obhrai Foundation, and Canada India Foundation was celebrated on Nov 24, 2021, via Zoom Webinar. Mr. Shiv Bhasker, President OFIC could not participate this year due to a personal family factor.  On his behalf, Dr. Narinder Garg gave a welcome speech. Pandit Ravindra Narayan Pandey Ji of Durga temple performed the Diwali pooja and all the participants lighted lamps from their homes.

Keynote speakers on this special occasion were Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of the official opposition and His Excellency Ajay Bisaria High commissioner of India in Canada. The other notable speakers were Chandra Arya MP Nepean, Todd Doherty MP Cariboo-Prince George, Priti Obhrai-Martin of the Deepak Obhrai Foundation, MP Jenny Kwan, Mr. Ashish Talwar, and Dr. Azad Kaushik. This year the celebration also had three beautiful performances and a song. Shefali Adhikari and Sujata Raisinghani were the MCs for this event. Mr. Michael Bailey, as the technical expert of the Webinar, did a great job. Mr. Mohan Samarasinghe, Office of Todd Doherty, M.P. did most of the planning. This one-hour event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Narinder Garg. About 140 people joined in this Diwali celebration Webinar.