ISLAMABAD, Nov 15: The federal government organised a function for the Hindu community in connection with the festival of Diwali at a hotel here on Thursday night.

Diwali is celebrated to mark the homecoming of Hindu god Rama after 14 years in exile and it is also the start of the Hindu calendar’s New Year.

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Khurshid Shah, adviser to the prime minister for national harmony Dr Paul Bhatti, minister of state for national harmony Akram Masih Gill, parliamentarians, diplomats and families from the Hindu community attended the event.

At the start, the Lakshami (the goddess of wealth) Puja was performed by Pandit Ashok to seek her blessings. Pandit Chana Lal briefed the gathering about the significance of the festival in the Hindu religion.  —Aamir Yasin