From Diwali Lights to Christmas Cheer: A Season of Celebration and Reflection
Written by Xavier Hernandez
As of November 8th, we’re only seven weeks away from Christmas! The holiday season is fast approaching, and it’s a perfect time to reflect on the year that’s flown by. It’s also a reminder that the Brisbane Indian Times family is here for you. Whether you need support or simply want to stay connected with what’s happening in our community, we’ve got you covered. I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity to contribute to Australian Indian Times this year, and I’d like to extend a special thanks to the Deo family, especially my mentor and friend, Jitendra Deo, for their continued support. Your feedback motivates me every day, and I truly enjoy connecting with you all when I’m out in the community.
Let me start by wishing Happy Diwali to everyone who celebrated! This year, Diwali—the Festival of Lights—was observed between October 21st and November 1st. It was a special time for families to come together, light up their homes, and honour Goddess Lakshmi with Lakshmi Puja. I had a wonderful time at the Diwali – Festival of Lights celebration, reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. A heartfelt thank you to Sargam Music Academy—Bondita Chakraborty, Mithun Chakraborty—and Platinum Events Services Gold Coast—Manish Saini, Pushpinder Oberoi, and their teams for organising such an unforgettable evening.
In early October, I had the honour of speaking at the Greater Brisbane 100 (B100) event at Brisbane City Hall. It was a truly memorable experience to be part of this celebration of Brisbane’s rich history and transformation. Alongside my mother, Nayda Hernandez, and the incredible Mahnaz Abbasi, I shared my story during the “Borrow A Brissy: Stories
Across Cultures” session. At just 15 years old, it was an invaluable opportunity to reflect on how Brisbane’s diversity has shaped who I am today. I spoke about my passion for volunteering and how the community I’m proud to call home has helped shape my journey. I also took a moment to acknowledge JD Deo and our Brisbane Indian Times team for their hard work in making Brisbane a wonderful place to live and for their invaluable investment in the community and youth.
I’d also like to express my gratitude to Dr. Michael Ho and his staff for making me feel so welcome during my work experience at Allcare Inala Medical Centre, Saigon Plaza. It was inspiring to see so many people from diverse backgrounds receiving the care they need from staff who come from all walks of life. I am appreciative of his guidance and inspiring me to continue my pursuit of becoming a doctor.
In addition, I had the privilege of attending Bob Pillay’s VIP book launch, and I’m now thoroughly enjoying reading his book. I’ve known Bob and his wife, Pravinita, for over a decade, and it’s been amazing to see them succeed while also giving back to the community. Bob’s new release, Dynamic Business Principles, shares his journey in Aerospace & Defence and a five-step process for business growth and personal success. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to elevate their business and life. You can grab a copy at BobPillay.com.
Now, if you love cricket as much as I do, you’ll be excited to hear about the India vs Australia cricket series taking place this October and November. The series includes three ODIs—October 19th in Perth, October 23rd in Adelaide, and October 25th in Sydney—followed by five T20Is—October 29th in Canberra, October 31st in Melbourne, November 2nd in Hobart, November 6th in Gold Coast, and November 8th in Brisbane. These matches have been packed with incredible performances and fierce competition.
November is shaping up to be a busy month for our community. In addition to Diwali, we’ll come together on November 11th for Remembrance Day to honour the service and sacrifice of our veterans. We’ll also celebrate International Men’s Day on November 19th, and on November 25th, we’ll observe International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, marking the start of the 16 Days of Activism campaign. These important dates offer us all a chance to reflect and support causes that affect many in our community.
This month, we also highlight Movember, a campaign focused on raising awareness about men’s mental health. With three out of four suicides in Australia being by men, Movember urges us to create supportive spaces for men to talk openly and seek help. Let’s come together to support this important cause and raise awareness for mental wellness.
In line with this, due to popular demand the ACFC International Men’s Night Gala Dinner will be held on November 14, 2025. This event promises to be an exciting evening, with top comedians and live music, all while raising awareness for men’s mental health. Be sure to grab your tickets soon before they sell out—it’s an event you won’t want to miss! If you would like more information in regards to the event, reach out to Cr. Scott Bannan and Cr Nathan St. Ledger from logan City Council.
Mark your calendars for the Forest Lake Community Festival on December 6th! The event will take place at Forest Lake Primary School from 8 AM – 2 PM, followed by the Forest Lake Christmas Carols from 4 PM. Events like these are essential for fostering connections in our community, particularly in light of the rising cost of living. I’ll be volunteering, and I look forward to seeing you there for a fun-filled day!
I look forward to seeing you all when I am out and about in the community.
