The Kadukar/Kusoorkar family from Schofields has gone one better in this year’s Blacktown City Diwali Lights Competition after being named the Overall City Winner.
The household at 62 Ward Street, Schofields, received the runner-up prize in the 2020 competition, making their 2021 win all the more sweeter.
Residents across Blacktown City were encouraged to light up their homes for the popular annual competition, which celebrates the ancient Hindu festival of Diwali.
Also known as the festival of lights, Diwali is typically celebrated over several weeks in October and November to recognise the victory of light over darkness.
Winner Apurv Kusoorkar, who entered the competition with his wife Sarita Kadukar, said Diwali was a special time for his family, who moved to Schofields in 2019 and have participated in the competition ever since.
“This festival is very important for our family as we were born in India and we feel it is a great way to let our daughter know about our culture,” Apurv said.
“This competition is a great integration with Australian culture. Diwali is even more special to my family as our daughter was born on Diwali in 2019.”
Apurv and Sarita used their spare time during the COVID-19 lockdown to decorate their home, taking them up to 20 weekends to complete.
Many of the colourful decorations, including lotuses and lanterns, are handmade from recycled materials, including plastic bottles, cardboard and spoons.
“Winning is not as important as the pride and happiness we get when cars drive past and see the house and tell their kids what the festival is about. The award is the cherry on top,” Apurv said.
The festival is especially significant in Blacktown City, which is home to more than 80,000 residents of Indian descent.
Blacktown City Council was delighted to see the continual growth of the competition, which attracted almost 60 entries this year.
Residents of all cultural backgrounds were urged to get into the spirit and decorate their homes, with $2500 in cash prizes on offer for the best-decorated properties across Blacktown City’s five wards.
Ronneel Kumar took out second place in the Overall City Winner category for his wonderfully-decorated property at 57 Hampton Crescent, Prospect.
It was a neighbourly affair in Schofields, with Manjunath Hukkeri of 64 Ward Street awarded third prize overall.
Ward Street was unsurprisingly named Blacktown City’s ‘Best Street’, while 64 Ward Street, Schofields, also received the prize for ‘Best Rangoli’.
Council would like to thank all entrants for taking part in this year’s competition with their incredible light displays.
Ward Winners
Ward 1 – 106 Mosaic Avenue, The Ponds
Ward 3 – 57 Hampton Crescent, Prospect
Ward 4 – 13 Golding Drive, Glendenning
Ward 5 – 62 Ward Street, Schofields
Picture: Apurv Kusoorkar and Sarita Kadukar were named the Overall City Winner in the 2021 Blacktown City Diwali Lights Competition
