I just got a call from a high profile member of the South Asian community upset with how Diwali celebrations were handled at City Hall.
So, back on October 6th, City Council proclaimed Saturday, October 17th, 2009 as “Diwali: Festival of Lights Day” in the City of Vancouver and had Ms. Mita Naidu, Chair, Vancouver Celebrates Diwali, to the podium to receive the proclamation and say a few words (she gave a fantastic presentation).
A picture used on the City of Vancouver website that was not taken at the celebration that occurred at City Hall on October 6th.
The proclamation was immediately followed by a reception in the foyer outside Council Chamber.
Here is where the caller was quite upset.
There were a number of members of the Vancouver Celebrates Diwali society, which puts on the annual Diwali community-based celebrations in Vancouver every year. There were also a few prominent South Asian supporters of the NPA, including former Council candidate Daljit Sidhu and Kewal Pabla, who is one of the most prominent business owners/developers of the Punjabi Market, all invited by Suzanne Anton.
That was the extent of the invitee list. Many leaders from across the community would have liked to have been there, but were never made aware.
Furthermore, the reception served sushi and other appetizers that had absolutely nothing to do with the culture that was being celebrated.
So, the caller and now I would like to have a few questions answered:
- Who drafted the invite list for the event? Why was it not more broadly shared with South Asian community leaders?
- Why couldn’t traditional Indian sweets (traditional fixtures for any Diwali celebration), at the very minimum, been among the offerings served to guests?
- Why is Diwali treated in such a low-key fashion when compared to City-endorsed celebrations for Chinese New Year, for example?
Vancouver could really take some lessons from the City of Surrey on this particular issue.
