Holi Mahotsav
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www.bhavanaustralia.org Let noble thoughts come to us from every side - Rigv Veda, 1-89-i Holi Mahotsav Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam “The whole world is but one family” Life | Literature | Culture March 2011 | Vol 8 No.9 | Issn 1449 - 3551 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination & Harmony History much remained to be achieved. The greatest accomplishment of the conference was the The International Day for the Elimination of renewed international commitment to the anti- Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 racism agenda. March. On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration Observance in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid “pass laws”. Proclaiming the Day in 1966, the The Day is marked with seminars, workshops and General Assembly called on the international panel discussions aiming to raise awareness on community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all issues related to racial discrimination. forms of racial discrimination. Harmony Day The Apartheid On the same day ie 21st March is celebrated Since then, the apartheid system in South Africa Harmony Day in Australia each year. It’s a day where has been dismantled. Racist laws and practices all Australians celebrate their cultural diversity. The have been abolished in many countries and an Day gives people the opportunity to celebrate what international framework for fighting racism, guided makes each Australian unique and share what they by the International Convention on the Elimination have in common. Harmony Day began in 1999 and of Racial Discrimination has been built. The over the years, Harmony Day has grown in popularity Convention is now nearing universal ratification, as Australians have made the day their own. yet still, in all regions, too many individuals, communities and societies suffer from the injustice The Message 2011 and stigma that racism brings. The continuing message for Harmony Day in The first article of the Universal Declaration of Human 2011 is that Everyone Belongs, which means all Rights affirms that “all human beings are born free Australians are a welcome part of the country, and equal in dignity and rights”. The International Day regardless of their background. It’s a time to reflect for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination reminds on where Australia has come from, recognising us of our collective responsibility for promoting and the traditional owners of this land. It’s also about protecting this ideal. community participation, inclusiveness and respect—celebrating the different cultures that Racial Discrimination and United Nations make Australia a great place to live. Racial and ethnic discrimination occur on a daily Year 2011 Harmony Day is encouraging people to basis, hindering progress for millions of people participate in the Australian Red Cross’ Y Challenge— around the world. Racism and intolerance can celebrating diversity. The program provides councils take various forms—from denying individuals with ideas and materials to help youth organisations the basic principles of equality to fuelling ethnic run activities that reinforce respect and acceptance hatred that may lead to genocide—all of which of other cultures. There are a range of community can destroy lives and fracture communities. The events and activities held to celebrate Harmony Day. struggle against racism is a matter of priority for Harmony Day promotes an environment in which the international community. all people see a place for themselves in Australia’s future, a cohesive, multicultural society. The United Nations has been concerned with this issue since its foundation and the prohibition Source: www.un.org, of racial discrimination is enshrined in all core www.harmony.gov.au, www.lgma.org.au international human rights instruments. It places obligations on States and tasks them with eradicating discrimination in the public and private spheres. The principle of equality also requires States to adopt special measures to eliminate conditions that cause or help to perpetuate racial discrimination. The Events In 2001, the World Conference against Racism produced the most authoritative and comprehensive programme for combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance: the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. In April 2009, the Durban Review Conference examined global progress made in overcoming racism and concluded that March 2011 | Bhavan Australia | 3 For this Month Holi Mahotsav Just thinking of Holi Mahotsav fills our heart with extreme joy and happiness. Holi Mahotsav the grand festival of friendship and harmony celebrates culture, colours and folk and fun.The festival has an ancient origin and celebrates the triumph of ‘good’ over ‘bad’. The colourful festival bridges the social gap and renews sweet relationships among people and the communities. This day is specially chosen to forgive ‘foes’ and forget old differences to become friends again. People from all castes and religions come together to enjoy the spirit of Holi. It harbingers the arrival of spring and new harvest. In India during Holi days one can see colours of joy everywhere. We decided to celebrate Holi in Australia in a most prominent location constantly visited by thousands of people from every community. Our obvious choice was Darling Harbour where flow of people never stops and we wanted it to be free for everyone to join in the festivities. This year again we organised the celebrations of Holi Mahotsav over two days of festivities at Tumbalong Park. Visitors could enjoy the performances and the delicious Indian vegetarian food stalls and craft stalls in Tumbalong Park. The stalls during the Holi Mahotsav pepped up the festival adding variety to the event. The Holi Mahotsav festivities of two days starting on Saturday, 19 March was celebrated with spiritual extravaganza, the highlight being Rath Yatra (the journey of the hand-pulled Chariot of Lord Jagannätha) through the busy streets of Sydney, culminating into Darling harbour and staying at Tumbalong Park, courtesy of ISKCON Sydney our partner in peace and spirituality. Yoga demonstrations were provided by Yoga in Daily Life, another of our partners in peace. And of course there were dances and musical performances. In honour of Harmony Day, celebrated around Australia on 21 March, Holi Mahotsav 2011 dedicated Saturday to Harmony day with international performances. Holi Mahotsav is a place of abundance, forgiveness, neutrality, and wisdom, a perfect environment for music to live and grow. Holi Mahotsav morphed itself on Saturday into a one day international music extravaganza with a line up of international talent. Sunday was supposed to be a long day of cultural highlights with all sorts of dances from India and other cultures, musical bands, fashion show. Nearly two hundred artists had joined us in presenting this marvel. But due to the devil of the weather the Sunday program had to be cancelled. We are indeed immensely grateful to all those who have travelled with us in past nine years in turning Holi Mahotsav the grand Indian festival of harmony and friendship into a mainstream Australian festival of harmony today. Australian community has made Holi part of its evolving cultural calendar. Our special thanks are due to Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, India Tourism Sydney and ISKCON Sydney who agreed to and encouraged our plans for Holi Mahotsav in 2003 and have remained with us since then. The Premier of New South Wales has been supporting Holi Mahotsav since 2005 with grants from the Community Relations Commission for a Multicultural NSW. We are grateful to City of Sydney and City Central Command of NSW Police who have greatly supported our Street Procession / Rath Yatra every year since 2005. Our sincere thanks and gratitude are due to them. 4 | Bhavan Australia | March 2011 Lebara Mobile joined us again this year as a major sponsor. We express our heartfelt gratitude to Lebara Mobile. State Bank of India-Sydney joined us again with their sumptuous support for which we are grateful to them. We are indeed immensely grateful to our stallholders who are an integral part of our festival: Stay Cool Tropical SNO, Yoga in Daily Life, Fairy Floss Circular Event, Taza Tandoori, Annapoorna Restaurant, Taj Indian Sweets & Restaurant, Cuisine Catering Concepts, Taj Mahal Tandoori, Sugar Cane Juice, Sydney Community Foundation - Community Giving, 2011 Census, UAE Exchange, Central Equity Limited, Vision Asia, Bharat Matrimony, SAARC TV, Indian Link, KONNECTV, Desi Kangaroos, Spirituality Books and Saileen Fashions. We are grateful to our media supporters Desi Kangaroo, The Indian, Indus Age, Indian Link, The Indian Down Under, Punjab Times, Masala Newsline, Kerala Times, Hindi Gaurav, Navtarang, Nepalese Times, Radio Dhanak, Sur Sangam and the Epoch Times, a Chinese newspaper who joined us in making this 2011 festival even brighter and diverse. Holi Mahotsav was the culmination of efforts and selfless untiring support of over 400 artists from a large number of dance academies and cultural groups. We bow before and salute them with humility and greatest gratitude. Our gratitude is due to the wonderful masters of ceremonies Soiam and Sophil Chandraja, Divya Dhingra, Dyasmin Sandhu, Nitisha Tripathi Shezley Mahendra, and Vijay Jogia. Bhoji Watts and Manju Chand have been managing the stage and production supported by other graceful ladies every year since inception. Without these wonderful ladies the Holi Mahotsav could not have happened.