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SYDNEY, NS – Bright colors, delicious sweets and spending time with loved ones is how Diwali is celebrated in India.
Celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains, Diwali literally means “row of lights†and is one of the biggest holidays celebrated by Indians at home and around the world.
The origin of the festival is different in different parts of India, however, there is a constant theme: victory over evil or finding light in darkness. Diwali is considered to be one of the oldest celebrated festivals in the world.
Diwali dates change every year as they follow the Indian calendar. For 2021, Diwali falls on November 4, but the celebration typically lasts for five days.
Since at least 2017, Cape Breton University has hosted Diwali events helping India’s growing student population feel at home in their new home.
For 2021, the CBU Diwali celebrations took place from November 1-4 and featured a flash mob bhangra dance performance, Mehndi (henna) hand painting, and a fashion show featuring traditional Indian clothing. from different parts of the country.
“It’s like showing everyone happiness,” said Anil Kumar Venugopal Vamer from Mumbai, India, who moved to Canada in September.
“It’s really nice to be away from the country while enjoying the festival with people from different cultures.”
Ramadeep Kaur from Punjab was one of the Mehndi artists doing free henna tattoos at CBU’s Pit Lounge.
“Since we’re not in our own country it’s not the same, but we can still celebrate,†said Kaur, who moved to Cape Breton in February.
Charvi Gambhir, from Delhi, was the master of ceremonies at the fashion show held on Tuesday. Having Diwali celebrations on campus was important to her.
“We are a long way from our families for Diwali, but with the celebrations at CBU it means I can celebrate with my new CBU family,†she said.
“It’s the best thing I can think of. I feel so at home. It’s so warm and welcoming here.”
Connect graduates
However, once international students graduated from the CBU, there were no big Diwali celebrations in the CBRM. That was until this year.
This discrepancy was recognized by a group of CBU graduates from India who started AG Events and are hosting their first Diwali event on Friday.
Diwali by the Water takes place at the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion. From 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., dance and music performances from different parts of India are held. Next up is DJ Glyde, who has performed at the Capri Club in Sydney and Halifax, playing current hits from India and around the world.
It is an event for all ages with a VIP section 19 and over.
Gunny Brar, one of the founders of AG Events and former president of the CBU Students’ Union, said their goal was to use events like Diwali celebrations to encourage immigration to Cape Breton. .
“The problem we face is that a lot of international students who want to stay don’t end up staying because there aren’t enough people there. You can go to Halifax, you can go to Toronto and there’s always something going on, “Brar explained.
Over two months ago, Brar and his AG Events partners met with Cape Breton Regional Municipality Mayor Amanda McDougall about the Diwali event, and then MP Derek Mombourquette. Both gave their support to the event that kicked off the planning.
Brar said their goal is to have an annual event as big as the PEI Cavendish Country Music Festival, featuring Indian and international music and dance, attracting spectators to visit and immigrants to stay in Cape Breton.
Ticket sales for Diwali by the Water are going better than expected so far, with nearly all VIP tables sold out. There are no VIP tables for 10 people available and only a few tables for five people costing $ 300.
General admission costs $ 25 per person in advance and $ 30 at the door that opens at 8:30 p.m.
Nicole Sullivan is an immigration / diversity and education reporter for the Cape Breton Post.
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