Speech

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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Prime Minister Celebrates Diwali on Parliament Hill

October 23, 2006
Ottawa, Ontario

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

Namaste.

Before I begin, I would like to thank Deepak for his kind introduction.

Deepak, as many of you know, has been doing a great job in his role as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Of the many endeavours he has undertaken since assuming his new job, Deepak has been particularly active in helping Canada strengthen its relationship with India, the world’s most populous democracy and an emerging economic power.

He has also been active on issues affecting Africa, the continent where he was born.

Closer to home, Deepak has been playing an instrumental role in building bridges between Canada’s New Government and the Indo-Canadian community.

As a result of his hard work, Deepak has been awarded a number of honours, including being awarded an outstanding achievement award by the Indo-Canadian Business Community.

Next month, The Desi Magazine will honour him with the Community Achievers Award in Toronto.

And, most importantly, it is because of his efforts that we are gathered here for this seventh annual celebration of Diwali on Parliament Hill.

So give Deepak a big hand.

Friends, it’s a great honour to join with you here tonight.

As you’re well aware, Diwali, or the Festival of Lights as it’s otherwise known, is one of the great Hindu festivals.

Every year it is celebrated by hundreds of millions of people around the world.

The importance of Diwali cannot be overstated, as the festival symbolizes the most eternal of themes.

The renewal of life.

And the triumph of good over evil.

As you gather with your loved ones to celebrate this joyous occasion, please know that the thoughts of Canada’s New Government are with you.

I would also like to take this opportunity to wish Muslim Canadians a joyous and spirited Eid Mubarak.

Now, I believe that tonight’s event serves a dual purpose.

Needless to say, we are here first and foremost to celebrate the great festival of Diwali.

But we are here for another reason as well.

We are here to celebrate one of our country’s greatest strengths – its commitment to pluralism.

Since its birth, Canada has bound together individuals of varying ethnic and religious backgrounds in pursuit of a common goal – to build a peaceful, prosperous country rooted in equality of opportunity.

The contribution made by the Indo-Canadian community to this endeavour has been particularly noteworthy.

Fuelled by an unshakeable work ethic and commitment to family and community, Indo Canadians are helping to build a stronger, better Canada for us.

A country in which where you’re going matters more than where you’re from.

A country that is united at home and respected abroad.

A country that is unwavering in its commitment to freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law for all people of the world.

In short, a country of which we can all be proud.

In closing, I would once again like to offer my best wishes for a most enjoyable, memorable, and happy Diwali.

Namaste.

Thank you.

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The Prime Minister’s Office - Communications
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