22nd National Diwali Celebration on Parliament Hill

The 22nd National Diwali celebration on Parliament Hill hosted by Overseas Friends of India Canada, Todd Doherty, M.P. Cariboo-Prince George, Deepak Obhrai Foundation, and Canada India Foundation was celebrated on October 26, 2022.
The program started with a bang by greeting and escorting all the MPs VIPs with the beat of the drum (dhol) and dance. MCs Shiv Bhasker and Vandna Bhasker (French) welcomed the guests and introduced the speakers.
After the first dance performance, keynote speakers MP Todd Doherty, Co-host, Hon. Pierre Poilievre Leader of the Official Opposition, His excellency Manish Acting Indian high commissioner addressed the gathering. After lighting the lamps, the priest performed the Lakshmi Pooja.
After the second dance performance, the leaders from various political parties addressed the gathering. Notable amongst them were MP Tim Uppal, MP Chandra Arya, and MPs from other parties namely NDP, Green, and Bloc. There were short speeches by Priti Obhrai-Martin and Satish Thakkar of CIF as well.
After the third dance performance, Shiv Bhasker recognized all the sponsors. It was followed by remarks by reps of Laxmi Narayan Mandir Surry and the Hindu mandir of Dollard-des-Ormeaux.
The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr.Narinder Garg
More than 500 people attended the event.
After the dinner, Prasad was distributed to everyone.
Members Organizing Committee: Shiv Bhasker, Dr. Narinder Garg, Kulbhushan Kapoor, Nagmani Sharma, J.D. Shefali Adhikari, Puneet Aggarwal, Mohan Samarasinghe, Michel Bailey, Shanjeelin Dwivedi, Parmod Chhabra, Colin Munro, and Vasdev Aggarwal
Photographers: SB Photography, Hemant Gupta, Sharad Gupta, Manny Virdee
Choreographers: Bollywoodance Pro- Shefali Adhikari, Kathak – Divine Rhythm Creative Arts.
Sponsors: Canada India Foundation, HSBC bank, Hindu Mandir (DDO) Montreal, Canada India Global Forum, DTA Systems Inc, Phoenix Homes, Manny Virdee photographer, Varghis Property shop, York street Spa, Healthsign, Bollywoodance Pro, Avit solutions,
This event was also supported by ICCC, ICA, GCA, Vedic Sanskruti, Bihar (BACA), Marathi (OMM), Deshantari, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada Sangha, and Malayali Associations, NAIC, CIGF, Hindu Mandir (DDO) and Healthsign.