Lakshmi swimwear: Aus govt asked to revoke RAFW ?partnership?

An upset US-based Hindu group wants Australian Government, New South Wales Government, Hewlett-Packard, and Intel to withdraw ?partnership? from the annual Rosemount Australian Fashion Week (RAFW) events in the future.

A model displayed an image of Goddess Lakshmi on swimwear at an RAFW event held in Sydney (Australia) from May 2-6, which upset the Hindus worldwide.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) on Thursday pointed out that Australian Government, New South Wales Government, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, etc., who were said to be some of the partners this year of RAFW where a model with Goddess Lakshmi image on swimwear appeared, should dissolve the partnership in the future in view of its inability to halt the trivialization of highly revered Goddess Lakshmi.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, argued that despite various appeals, RAFW organizers still had not come out with public apology about the episode.

Zed further said that inappropriate usage of Hindu deities or concepts for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled.

RAFW, held this year against the spectacular backdrop of Circular Quay, is claimed to be Australia?s premier fashion industry event providing a platform for designers to showcase their wholesale collections to the world?s most influential buyers and media.

Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal. Lakshmi is the goddess of good fortune and beauty in Hinduism and is also known as ?world-mother?.