Cassandra Fernando (Holt, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Sewa Diwali is an inspiring initiative that beautifully embodies the spirit of community and service embraced by Australia's Hindu community. Rooted in the Hindu value of 'sewa', meaning 'selfless service', Sewa Diwali stands as a powerful expression of gratitude towards the communities that have welcomed them.

Is a migrant myself, I deeply understand the desire to give back. It is why I volunteered for AMES Australia. This month, 113 Hindu community organisations and 561 volunteers across Australia united in this remarkable effort. Together, they have collected over 24,000 kilograms of groceries for organisations in need, including 3,000 collected just in my state of Victoria. These groceries have been donated to organisations, including Perth Homeless Support Group in WA, OzHarvest in the ACT, Karma Kitchen in New South Wales, and Foodbank in Victoria, WA, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia.

To everyone involved in Sewa Diwali, thank you for your generosity and commitment. Your dedication to sewa not only strengthens our community but also reflects the gratitude and responsibility you feel towards the country you now proudly call home.