Community Conversations
Diya Poorna Chandra, Shrewsbury (Preschooler)
“We light candles and pray to God, and we put rangoli too. We do the fireworks around it. And then we say Happy Diwali!”
Dr. Kalyani Murthy, Lexington
“Deepavali embodies the true meaning of ‘Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya’ which essentially means ‘Lead me from darkness to light’. The Festival of Lights, as it is known all over the world, ushers in light, enlightens our life and fosters a sense of brotherhood. It reminds us to embrace the journey of life as a quest for knowledge and truth while dispelling ignorance.”
Radhika Dwara, Brighton, (Northeastern University Graduate)
“Diwali for me is an amalgamation of small joys .. be it the happiness of enjoying Diwali faral (sweets & snacks), the shopping for new dresses, lighting the fire crackers and diyas or attending the ‘Diwali-pahat-event’ (music mehfils at the dawn) in Pune. Diwali always reminds me of the best times spent with my family and friends.”
Dr. Rahul Datar, Wayland
“Diwali is the festival to celebrate happiness and remember God. We try to forget our daily trials and tribulations during this festive time to create joy in our lives. We celebrate it with our friends and family to double this joy!”
Aarushi Pant, IAGB Youth Director
“Diwali is a celebration of the victory of good over evil where we ward off darkness by lighting up our homes. More than simply a religious holiday, it is also a time of community, where friends and families come together to celebrate.”
Anshika Shekhar, IAGB Youth Member
“My favorite memories of Diwali celebrations center around a few people, my family. For me, Diwali signals the end of the year. For me, Diwali is the equivalent of the new year for others. Diwali is the time of year when I reflect on my wins and losses from the previous year. This is the time of year when I establish new resolutions and make plans for the coming year. This is when I get to see my family and I (plus my dog) enjoy the holidays while escaping the hectic world of school and work.”