Ola taxi drivers in Auckland will be decorating their vehicles in colourful displays of lights, flowers and bling to coincide with this weekends' Diwali celebrations.
Diwali - the festival of light - is officially celebrated on October 27, but this year events are being held in Auckland this weekend on October 12 and 13. Crowds of up to 50,000 people are expected over the two days of celebration, which will centre around Aotea Square in the CBD. Ola driver Bankim Patel, of Avondale, immigrated to Auckland from Gujarat, India 17 years ago, and says decorating his car is a fun way to celebrate his culture. "In India – everything is lit up for Diwali, from houses to temples and shops. It’s like Christmas for us," Mr Patel said. "Adding colourful lights to my car is a way to share a little of the festival mood and party atmosphere of Diwali with my passengers. "I hope the lights act as a bit of a conversation starter, because one of the beauties of living in New Zealand is that we celebrate all kinds of cultures." Ola New Zealand Country Manager Brian Dewil said Diwali is a great opportunity to celebrate the diversity of its driver community. "Ola has more than 7000 drivers across the country, who come from a diverse range of cultural and religious backgrounds," Mr Dewil said. "Offering our drivers the opportunity to light up their cars for what is one of the most important festivals of the year for many of them, reflects that."
==========================================================
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
.
Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
-
85.6% Yes
-
13.3% No
-
1.1% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Need Event Medical Cover?
MRI provides modern medical solutions for a wide range of events and industries. From local sporting or community events - to large concerts and major festivals - we can provide tailored and professional medical cover that suits your needs.
Our experienced team of clinicians and operations managers can provide a complete risk assessment of your event and advise you on the most suitable medical expertise to have on site.
Get in touch with the team today at info@mri.nz
Loading…
