Bhagavad Gita presented to NSW Parliament

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Shaoquett Moselmane, MLC NSW, calls it a milestone for the Hindu community

It was a historic day for the Indian community on 27 August as for the first time the Bhagavad Gita, the Holy book of the Hindus, was presented to the NSW Parliament in front of large gathering that included political personalities, leaders and dignitaries from the Indian community.

The motion to present the Bhagavad Gita to the NSW parliament House was started by Shaoquett Moselmane, MLC NSW, in the presence of the President of the NSW Legislative Council, Federal and State Parliamentarians, Hindu spiritual leaders, sub-continent leaders and the community at large. It was presented by Amanda Fazio MLC along with Shaoquett Moselmane with the support of the Aruna Chandrala from the Global Women Network, who presented few of the key teachings of the Gita.

The event began with the lightening of the lamp by the dignitaries while spiritual leaders from the Hindu community chanted mantras to perform the puja on the occasion, even as a presentation based on the life of Lord Krishna was shown on the projector.

Mr Moselman, the person behind this initiative, said, “In June, I moved a motion and the Legislative Council agreed to present the Bhagavad Gita to President Don Harwin on behalf of the New South Wales Parliament.”

He said he felt proud as he along with Ms Fazio formally presented the Bhagavad Gita to the President.

He said it was an auspicious occasion as the presentation of the Bhagavad-Gita took place in the country’s oldest Parliament. “It is a milestone for the Hindu community and the people of New South Wales and a tribute to their traditions, culture and beliefs. It was also an opportunity to celebrate the Hindu religion, one of the oldest and most profound religions in the world,” he said.

“By endorsing the motion to welcome the Bhagavad-Gita, one of the most fundamental texts that form the basis of Hinduism, this Parliament has in fact recognised the hundreds of millions of faithful followers around the globe. That message of welcome and acceptance is one received loud and clear by all Australians. The message is that this Parliament welcomes and accepts all Australian irrespective of their race, their colour or their religion. I particularly thank the President of the Legislative Council, Hon. Don Harwin, who was gracious enough to formally receive the Bhagavad-Gita as he had received the Holy Koran,” he said, and added that
“Hinduism is a way of life, a philosophy, a journey of enlightenment”.

“I hope it will serve as a priceless opportunity when, one day soon, one of our Hindu Australians can come to this place as an elected representative and swear on this very book,” he said.

Mr Arun Kumar Goel, Counsel General of India, also appreciated the presentation of Bhagavad Gita to the NSW Parliament and highlighted the teachings of Gita.

The other dignitaries present on the occasion included Arvinder Singh Renga (Consul), Victor Dominello (Minister for Aboriginal affairs and Minister for Citizenship and Communities representing the Premier of NSW), John Robertson (Opposition Leader of NSW), Linda Burney (Deputy Leader of the opposition), Barbara Perry (MP), David Elliott (MP), Susai Benjamin (Councillor), Aisha Amzad (MC), Dr Nihal Agar (President of Hindu Council of Australia), John Niven, Bhupinder Chhibber(President of GOPIO), Harish Velji (Chairperson from the Sub Continent Friends of Labor) and Rajeev Kapoor.

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