Hindu groups to share $3M for Divali

Multiculturalism Minister Winston Peters on Monday distributed three cheques to cultural groups for Divali 2011 celebrations.

Three organisations are $3 million. The Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) has got the largest shared of $1.8 million. The National Council for Indian Culture (NCIC) received $1 million and the Hindu Prachar Kendra received $150,000.

President of the SDMS Sat Maharaj expressed his gratitude for the funding.

“Compared to the pittance we were getting in the past to the $1.8 million we got this year we are very grateful. We want to thank the Government for seeing that kind of equality. 

"The money would definitely help us in our celebrations and maybe next year when the economy is better, we could get more which will further improve the celebrations,” he said.