23rd National Diwali Celebration on Parliament Hill

The 23rd 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 November 08, 2023.
The program started around 6.30 pm with a bang by greeting and escorting all the MPs VIPs with the beat of the drum (dhol) played by Dr. Narinder Garg. 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 Sanjay Kumar Verma Indian high commissioner addressed the gathering and shared their inspirational thoughts. 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 was MP Chandra Arya. Satish Thakkar of CIF also gave a short speech. After the third dance performance, Shiv Bhasker recognized all the sponsors and introduced the members of the organizing committee. The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Narinder Garg.
More than 540 people attended the event. After the dinner, Prasad was distributed to everyone.
Members Organizing Committee: Shiv Bhasker, Dr. Narinder Garg, Kulbhushan Kapoor, J.D. Shefali Adhikari, Puneet Aggarwal, Mohan Samarasinghe, Amit Sethi, Michel Bailey, Shanjeelin Dwivedi, Soummyo Priyo Chattopadhyay, Vasdev Aggarwal and Vamsi Pulagam and Cameron Wilcox
Photographer:  Hemant Gupta
Choreographers: Shefali Adhikari, Master Gunendran, Bhangrascape.
Sponsors: Canada India Foundation, SBI Canada bank, Hindu Mandir (DDO) Montreal, Canada India Global Forum, DTA Systems Inc, Phoenix Homes, Healthsign, Bollywoodance Pro, Avit Solutions, FAST Signs, Island Park Dental. Dentistree
This event was also supported by ICCC, ICA, GCA, Vedic Sanskruti, OTA, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada Sangha, and Malayali Associations, NAIC, CIGF, Hindu Mandir (DDO) and Healthsign.