(Caption: Bharatnatyam dancers at the religious event. Photo credit: Samina Rakhshani, 2025)
Hundreds of people gathered in Liverpool to celebrate the birth of Hindu deity Ganesha on Suday, 31 August 2025. The event coincided with large nationwide anti-immigration protests across Australia. Local MP Charishma Kaliyanda said the community was aware of protests, but organisers and volunteers had invested so much work into the event they did not want fear to undermine their efforts. Kaliyanda added that events like this make the community more aware of what connects them, rather than what divides them, fostering collaboration and unity:
‘We embrace each other, and we are grateful for the diversity in terms of culture, traditions, and different nationalities, and for what immigrants have brought to this country. I think it is a really important thing to say and do to bring us all together, said Kaliyanda.
(Caption: Ganesha statue at the procession. Photo credit: Samina Rakhshani, 2025)
The event was organised by Friends of India Australia (FOIA), along with many volunteers. FOIA is a voluntary non-profit organisation established in 1996. A procession accompanying the statue of Ganesha walked from Whitlam Centre to Macquarie St, followed by rhythmic and colourful cultural performances. This year marked the 30th anniversary of these celebrations. One of the organisers, Smriti Rao, said the dates for these celebrations are auspicious, and are decided a year in advance based on the Hindu calendar:
‘Of course, there were a few fears amongst us, and we were a little bit afraid of how everyone would take them as well, but we did have security in place. Most of all, we wanted to celebrate our culture, as we have been doing for the last 30 years. So, it didn’t really deter us. If anything, we wanted to increase our security and make sure all of the attendees were safe’, said Rao.
Kaliyanda said everyone should celebrate the different, diverse cultures and traditions within communities, as it not only helps people from those communities feel more welcome and part of the broader community, but also enriches the community, encouraging kindness and empathy. She added:
‘When we acknowledge and appreciate each other, we don’t see each other as enemies or something to be afraid of. We see our similarities and appreciate those connections between us’.
(Caption: Bharatnatyam dancer at the religious event. Photo credit: Samina Rakhshani, 2025)
