On Friday, 25 October, Diwali, the festival of lights, was celebrated in a united way with nearly all businesses coming forward with lights, pomp and celebrations galore on Wigram, Marion and Station Streets.
Little India Harris Park Business Association Inc (LIHPBA) made this historic event possible with assistance from all its members.
The celebration, which marks the victory of good over evil, featured lights in every which way, and a procession along Wigram and Marion Streets led by the Lord Mayor of Parramatta Bob Dwyer and his wife Lady Jenny Dwyer, Parramatta MP and Minister Multicultural Affairs Dr Geoffrey Lee and shop owners, well-wishers and passers-by all accompanied by the drums of “the Dhol” beats. The Mayor and Minister personally met with restaurant, shop and business owners and offered their good wishes on the occasion of Diwali.
The celebration is a brainchild of the Harris Park Business Owners Sanjay Deshwal and Nitin Setia, along with help of Subba Rao Varigonda and LIHPBA team along with Harris Park Business Forum. The vision of LIHPBA is make Harris Park—the little India of Sydney and put it on the map as an iconic tourist destination where one can witness the vibrant atmosphere and cultural hub with a variety of businesses from restaurants to fashion, groceries and more showcasing the rich cultural heritage of India. As part of the celebrations LIHPBA coordinated with all businesses to showcase lights across almost all business establishments.
Dr Geoff Lee, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, kicked off the celebrations by making a passionate speech which included the community and the Council working together to make the vision of LIHPBA a reality soon.
Later, at a dinner hosted by Dosa Plaza, Hon Bob Dwyer, Lord Mayor of Parramatta spoke highly of the efforts made by LIHPBA in supporting businesses in Harris Park and addressing their day to day issues. Following his speech, Ms Julia Finn, Member for Granville and representing the Hon Jodie McKay, congratulated the LIPBHA team for bringing all the businesses in Harris Park on to a common platform and wished the businesses in Harris Park a happy Diwali.
In his speech to the gathering at the dinner Subba Rao Varigonda, Chairman of the Board of Directors of LIHPBA, announced the establishment of the LSC-LIHPBA Support Center. (Article continues after gallery)
Software for LSC is provided by FreshWorks—an internationally well-known company in Helpdesk software. Through the LSC Helpdesk portal, Harris Park businesses can expect support on simple issues such as plumbing to the more complex issues related to Council involvement (examples being street lights, parking etc). LSC will be managed by volunteers from the company’s Indian support center, which has considerable experience in managing helpdesk services and currently a partner organisation for LIHPBA.
BenQ Corporation—a world-leading human technology and solutions provider—supported the event by providing two large monitor units, which will be located at two prominent places in Harris Park business precincts and will display information related to businesses in Harris Park. While the Lights are a permanent feature of Harris Park businesses, the display units will be available for full one month from Diwali.
The event was made possible by generous support from Pathan Supermarket, India Bazaar, Punjabi Fusion, Chillis, Ginger Indian Restaurant, Australian Visa and Migration Consultancy Services, Shalinis Indian Fashion Sydney, Taj Sweets, Green Meat Market, Dosa Hut, Billus, Haveli, Shri Dhaba, Tuli Jewellers, Green Farm Meat Market, BENQ, Path Infotech, Chatkaaz, Desi Barber, Dosa Plaza, Akshara Jewellers, Desi Network, Pricebeat Travels, Shimmer Fashions, Durgaa Paan Bhandar, Nine Flavours of Panipuri, and many more.
Simmi Wadhwa, of LIHPBA team, thanked the main sponsor Dosa Hut and Radhe Supermarkets and Dosa Plaza for a sumptuous dinner and venue for the Mayoral Party.
LIHPBA—Little India Harris Park Business Association Inc was launched on 4 July and is the peak representative body of businesses in Harris Park. The main objective of LIHPBA is to support businesses in Harris Park and make Harris Park as the tourist destination and “the Little India of Sydney”.
For more information about LIHPBA, please visit www.littleindia.org.au or email support@littleindia.org.au
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