Tony Zappia (Makin, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Earlier today, I attended an event here in Parliament House organised by Australia's BAPS community celebrating the centenary birth anniversary of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Last month, I was privileged to attend the launch of the BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute in Australia, in the revered presence of a Mahamahopadhyaya at the BAPS mandir in Greenfields, in the Makin electorate. His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj lived by the motto, 'In the joy of others lies our own.' He spoke of peace and harmony, of love for others and of building better people, better communities and a better world. He was widely respected by other world leaders. Today, in a world filled with so much conflict, hardship, unrest and troubles, we need leadership that stands on the values espoused by His Holiness and responds to the daily humanitarian struggles of people everywhere. His Holiness set a wonderful example that today is celebrated and continued throughout the world, not only by his followers but by so many others, and these are values that we can all learn from.