Shanti Paath at the Diwali event in European Parliament
Delegates from Italy, Britain, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Poland, Luxembourg and Spain attended the event.
The Hindu Forum of Europe hosted Diwali at the European Parliament in Brussels recently, attended by delegates from Italy, Britain, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Poland, Luxembourg and Spain. The event began with welcome address by President of HFE Dr Lakshmi Vyas, lighting of the lamp and shanti paath by Krishna Krupa Dasa.
Ambassador of India Santosh Jha at HFE Diwali
During the two-hour event, President of India Delegation MEP Morten Lokkegaard, Ambassador of India to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union Santosh Jha, Ambassador of Nepal to Belgium, the Netherlands & Luxembourg Gajendra Rajbhandari, MEP Maxette Pirbakas, HFE spiritual advisors Swami Amarananda and Swami Rameshwarananda Giri, Kishan Manocha from ODIHR (Office of the Democratic Institution & Human Rights), BK Sister Jaymini Patel have all spoken on the significance of Diwali celebrations. The dignitaries were presented with beautiful shawls.
MEP Morten Lokkegaard at HFE Diwali
The event was also focussed on cultural significance which promoted classical dance performers who mesmerised the attendees with gracious and lovely performances. Invocation through classical dance was presented by Ragasudha Vinjamuri, followed by dances of Devhita Mondal, Aradhya Golcha, Mahika Golcha & Naisha Singhvi.
The event concluded with vegetarian dinner.
Invocation by Ragasudha Vinjamuri at HFE Diwali eventKishen Manocha of ODHIR at HFE DiwaliMEP Maxette Pirbakas at HFE DiwaliAmbassador of Nepal Gajendra Rajbhandari at HFE Diwali
A local resident named James, who is a teacher for the first time celebrated Diwali and called the experience “absolutely incredible.” He called Diwali an amazing festival...reports Asian Lite News
London Mayor Sadiq Khan organised the annual Diwali celebration at Trafalgar Square on Sunday.The free public event held from 1 pm to 7 pm (local time) featured Indian traditional dances, music, activities, and food from various parts of India that captured the festival’s spirit.Attendees enjoyed performances by London’s Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities, yoga workshops, puppet shows and more. Sadiq Khan hailed the event as embodying Diwali’s symbolic victory of light over darkness.
The landmark Diwali celebrations drew residents not only from London but also people and visitors of all backgrounds from various parts of the UK.A local resident named James, who is a teacher for the first time celebrated Diwali and called the experience “absolutely incredible.” He called Diwali an amazing festival.”Its my first time at Diwali. Absolutely incredible experience. Everyone in London here has come together to celebrate this amazing festival. I love the dancing, but also the reenactments of the story of Ram and Sita, which I think teach us all from every background, every place, teach us something very important and very special.
So really beautiful to experience this together as one global community,” James told ANI.Artists performed dance on folk songs and Bollywood songs like ‘Jai Ho’ and ‘Jo Hai Albela.’ People who attended the Diwali celebration also enjoyed Indian food.Speaking to ANI, an Indian-origin girl said, “This is the first time, I am experiencing Diwali outside of India. So, it feels great and it feels like home away from home. And it is a very great experience to have here. And we are enjoying all of us getting to meet new people. And also I was craving Indian food and I finally got to eat here. And the festive atmosphere is like the perfect beginning for Diwali. So, yeah, this is very a good time.”One Indian-origin boy who attended the Diwali celebration at Trafalgar Square said, “The Londoners who are not Indians, who are not Indian, it’s lovely to see them celebrate what we consider like best festival of light for us. So it’s been, like, amazing. I love the enthusiasm. Not just ours, but theirs as well. And we got to see the mayor speaking. He was an amazing guy.
“Speaking to ANI, a local resident named Vivian who attended the Diwali celebration said, “This is my first time here. This is my first Diwali at Trafalgar Square. I really enjoyed it. I love to dance and I came with my friend and we danced all the time. It (Diwali) is the festival of lights. The atmosphere here is wonderful and people are very friendly…” This year, Diwali will be celebrated on Sunday, November 12. (ANI)
Last year’s spiced ice cream was very successful and to maintain the same theme, be prepared to try our newly developed and uniquely spiced popcorn. We’ve spiced up the traditional popcorn with our signature spices, creating a snack that’s both delicious and distinctively TRS…reports Asian Lite News
TRS, the renowned purveyor of premium spices and ethnic culinary delights, is excited to announce its second-year participation in the festive extravaganza of Diwali on the Square. This year’s celebration promises to be grander and more luminous, as TRS prepares to dazzle attendees with an array of captivating activities and delightful surprises.
“Diwali on the Square is an annual homage to the Festival of Lights, providing a captivating window into the diverse and culturally rich tapestry of India,” said Damian Guha, CEO of Vibrant Foods Ltd. “TRS has been an integral part of this jubilant occasion, and for this year, we’re geared up to make the event even more extraordinary for the public. This celebration holds a special place in the hearts of thousands across the UK. Our participation reflects our deep commitment to the communities we serve and our unswerving dedication to our cherished consumers. TRS has been a beloved brand, embraced by countless individuals.
Over the years, we’ve not only delivered exceptional quality products but have also nurtured a profound connection with our consumers. It’s a bond founded on trust, reliability, and shared values. TRS products have become integral in countless households, making our brand synonymous with tradition, authenticity, and quality. Our involvement in Diwali on the Square is a testament to our commitment to diversity and inclusivity, as well as an acknowledgement of the remarkable cultural mosaic that enriches the communities we serve. It’s also an opportunity to give back to the communities that have steadfastly supported us on our journey.”
Here’s a sneak peek of what TRS has in store for you at Diwali on the Square:
1. Exciting Games: TRS has organised fun and interactive games for attendees of all ages. From the best selfie competition to a chance to win at the claw machine, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
2. Original Flavoured Popcorn: Last year’s spiced ice cream was very successful and to maintain the same theme, be prepared to try our newly developed and uniquely spiced popcorn. We’ve spiced up the traditional popcorn with our signature spices, creating a snack that’s both delicious and distinctively TRS.
Chef Chetna Makan
3. Culinary Magic by Chetna: Meet our superstar Chef, Chetna Makan, who will be showcasing her culinary expertise using TRS products. She’ll whip up incredible dishes that showcase the incredible flavours of TRS Gram Flour, Spices, and Lentils, leaving your taste buds craving for more. “’I am very excited to be back at the Diwali on the Square with TRS this year. I am looking forward to sharing my love of Indian food with you all as it is a big part of Diwali for us. There will be lots of delicious food as I will be cooking on the day. From delicious snacks to flatbreads all of which will be made live on stage, and I’ll get a chance to meet and interact with the audience,” said Chetna.
4. Win Free Goodies: TRS is feeling extra generous this Diwali season. Attendees have the chance to win an array of free goodies, including TRS products and other exciting surprises. Be sure to participate in our quizzes for a chance to take home these amazing gifts.
New Brand Design
“In addition to the festivities, TRS is thrilled to unveil its brand-new design. This updated look aims to modernise our packaging whilst remaining authentic and create excitement around the TRS brand. It represents our commitment to delivering quality products while staying fresh and contemporary.” said Stephanie Rose O’Riordan, TRS Marketing Manager.
Don’t miss the chance to experience the Diwali magic with TRS at Diwali on the Square. Join us in celebrating the Festival of Lights and indulging in a diverse culinary journey that only TRS can offer.
Event Details:
Date: 29 October
Time: from 1.00-6.00 pm
Location: Trafalgar Square
For more information about TRS, please visit www.trsfood.com
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced that the annual Diwali on the Square celebrations will take place in Trafalgar Square on Sunday 29 October with a host of family-friendly entertainment; reports Columnist Riccha Grrover for Asian Lite International.
The capital’s celebration of the Festival of Lights will see Londoners and people from around the world join together in the heart of the capital to enjoy a fantastic array of dance, music, activities and food from 1-7pm.
This free, non-ticketed event is delivered in partnership with the Diwali in London committee, with headline sponsorship from Remitly. The volunteer-led committee helps to select the programme for the event, and comprises of a range of community leaders.
The event opens with 200 colourfully dressed dancers followed by an exciting mix of performances from artists drawn from London’s Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities.
There will be a host of market stalls and activities to enjoy, including dance workshops, yoga and meditation, Ramayana Puppet shows, Soho Theatre comedy, and the Glimpse of Goddesses stall where visitors can find out more about Hindu goddesses, sari and turban tying.
This year there will also be the Diwali Queen and a series of dance performances presented by ‘Kalasetu,’ a collaborative project between Subrang Arts and Kinetika commissioned on behalf of This is Croydon, the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture 2023.
An array of South Asian food stalls will be serving up delicious traditional and fusion, vegan and vegetarian cuisine.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Diwali on the Square is a cornerstone in London’s calendar of cultural events, providing a wonderful celebration of colour and light in the heart of our great capital. I’m delighted that Londoners and visitors of all backgrounds will once again be joining together for a fantastic family-friendly afternoon of entertainment to mark the symbolic victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. By celebrating our city’s diversity, we are building a better, fairer, more prosperous London for everyone.”
Sanjay Gadhvi, Iskcon, Chair of Diwali in London Committee 2023, said: “On our 22nd year of Diwali on Trafalgar Square, always supported by the Mayor of London, we pray for peace and harmony. Wishing all a Happy Diwali.”
Prof Ray Lloyd, CEO of Global Banking School (GBS) and Diwali on the Square’s Presenting Partner, said: “Global Banking School is delighted to support this event which aligns with our values of celebrating the strength of diversity within our communities. Global Banking School (GBS), part of the GEDU Group, is transforming futures through education. GBS offer a range of sector-relevant courses across five locations – East London, West London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds. Working in partnership with several of the UK’s leading higher education providers, we deliver vocational, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in finance, accounting, business, construction, tourism, healthcare – and more.”
Katrina’s poster from the film was unveiled on Tuesday. It features the actress hanging from a rope and wearing a leather body hugging suit as she fires an assault rifle…reports Asian Lite News
This Diwali, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan is coming with his highly-anticipated third installment of the ‘Tiger’ franchise, ‘Tiger 3’. On Wednesday, the poster of the superstar from the film was unveiled, and it has ‘Swag’ written all over.
The poster features Salman as a locked target of what seems to be the scope of a gun. The superstar stares into the scope with his head tilted down a little though his eyes are fixated at the sniper behind the scope. Behind him there are police cars.
The superstar also promised that the trailer of the film will be unveiled on October 16.
The actor can be seen sporting cargo pants, a leather jacket with a gun in his hand His look is rounded up with the scarf which is his signature from the franchise.
Sharing the poster on his Instagram, Salman wrote in the caption: “Tiger aa raha hai. 16th October. #Tiger3Trailer Ready ho jao! #5DaysToTiger3Trailer #Tiger3 arriving in cinemas this Diwali. Releasing in Hindi, Tamil & Telugu.”
Earlier, Katrina’s poster from the film was unveiled on Tuesday. It features the actress hanging from a rope and wearing a leather body hugging suit as she fires an assault rifle.
‘Tiger 3’ has been produced by Aditya Chopra and has been directed by Maneesh Sharma. It releases during Diwali holiday this year.
Four days before Diwali in October 2022, discussions began about issuing a warning…reports Asian Lite News
Canada’s national weather service had publicly apologised and reissued an advisory, which singled out Diwali fireworks as a reason to prepare for poor air quality last October, a media report said.
According to documents accessed by the Canadian Press, Environment Canada went ahead and published the advisory despite warnings by two meteorologists, saying that it could be perceived as “discriminatory”.
The process of publishing the advisory began after November 2021 Diwali celebrations, when an air quality monitor picked up a small spike in air pollution in parts of the Greater Toronto Area, including Brampton and Mississauga.
It moved the air quality index from low risk to moderate risk for about four hours, and the staff traced the increase to local fireworks set off to celebrate the festival of lights.
Four days before Diwali in October 2022, discussions began about issuing a warning.
While one of the meteorologists suggested getting the Communications department involved before proceeding, another said targeting specific areas could be seen as “discriminatory”.
They said any decision to issue a warning must be based on meteorological conditions, not just the fact that Diwali was happening, the National Post newspaper said, citing Canadian Press.
Hours after publishing the advisory on the morning of October 24, 2022, complaints poured in accusing the national agency of being racist, stating that similar air quality warnings were not issued for Canada Day fireworks.
By the end of the day, Environment Canada’s inquiry line had received 60 formal complaints, calling it “racist”, “shameful” and “Eurocentric”.
“I am a Hindu who recognises Diwali as an important religious event and am concerned that this message may cause citizens who do not celebrate Diwali to target Hindus for polluting the air around them,” one person wrote.
The department had to reissue the advisory without mentioning Diwali and issue a public apology by the end of the day.
In addition, it was also decided that going forward, only meteorological conditions would be mentioned in the warnings.
In an internal communication about that spike written on October 25, 2022, Environment Canada said meteorological conditions had created “a perfect setup” for the fireworks to cause a spike in air pollution, with “very strong inversion and light winds”
Two earlier attempts to pass the legislation in 2021 and 2022 did not succeed…reports Asian Lite News
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has officially decalred Diwali as a school holiday aimed at honouring the city’s South Asian, Indo-Caribbean, Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist communities.
On Monday, Mayor Adams made the announcement at City Hall while being flanked by Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar, the first Hindu American and first South Asian American woman elected to state office, reports ABC 7.
“Today we say to over 600,000 Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and Jain Americans, we see you,” Rajkumar said.
“Today we say to families from India, Guyana, Trinidad, Nepal, and Bangladesh, we recognise you.”
Taking to Twitter later in the day, Adams said: “I’m so proud to have stood with Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar and community leaders in the fight to make Diwali a school holiday.
“I know it’s a little early in the year, but: Shubh Diwali!”
#WATCH | Diwali to become school holiday in New York City, US
"I'm so proud to have stood with Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar and community leaders in the fight to make Diwali a school holiday. I know it's a little early in the year, but: Shubh Diwali," tweets Mayor Eric Adams… pic.twitter.com/TfrlU7KWwm
The Mayor’s announcement comes after the New York State legislature on June 9 passed a Bill to make Diwali a school holiday in the city.
However, Governor Kathy Hochul is still yet to sign the bill to make it into a law.
Two earlier attempts to pass the legislation in 2021 and 2022 did not succeed.
An estimated 200,000 students from these communities will be able to celebrate the festival of lights in their own way, free of school.
In 2023, Diwali will be celebrated on Sunday, November 12, so it will be a day off school for the first time in 2024.
The New York Department of Education said there will be four new days off during 2023-24 school calendar including April 1, the day after Easter, April 29 and 30, the two days of Passover, and June 17 for Eid.
NY State Assembly to pass legislation to observe Diwali as federal holiday
The Diwali Day Act would make the ‘Festival of Lights’ the 12th federally recognised holiday in the US…reports Asian Lite News
Congressman Jim Himes has agreed to support a bill introduced in the US Congress to declare Diwali as a federal holiday.
The Diwali Day Act, introduced by New York Congresswoman Grace Meng last month, would make the ‘Festival of Lights’ the 12th federally recognised holiday in the US when it is passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden.
Himes’ support came after his meeting with prominent members of Global Organization of People of Indian Origin-Connecticut Chapter (GOPIO-CT) last week.
Led by GOPIO Chairman Thomas Abraham, the delegation also discussed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming state visit from Wednesday to Friday.
The visit includes a state dinner as well as an address to the Joint Session of the Congress on Thursday.
Himes, who serves Connecticut’s fourth Congressional district, also discussed shortage of workers in hospitality and healthcare sectors, and delays faced by Indians in getting permanent resident cards, according to a GOPIO release.
Recently, the New York State legislature passed a Bill, led by Indian-American assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, to make Diwali a school holiday in the city.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is expected to sign the bill to make it a law, following which Mayor Eric Adams would be able to designate Diwali as a school holiday for an estimated two lakh students from these communities who celebrate it.
Earlier this year, Pennsylvania became the first US state to officially recognise Diwali as a public holiday.
The state introduced the Diwali holiday ahead of other states like California, Texas, Illinois, New York and New Jersey with a high concentration of Indian-Americans.
Michigan’s Indian-American state representative Ranjeev Puri, also introduced a bill last week to make Diwali, Vaishakhi, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha and Lunar New Year as state-recognised holidays in the state.
NY State Assembly to pass legislation to observe Diwali as federal holiday
The move comes after endeavours by legislators and members of the diaspora to establish these festivals as recognised holidays in the state….reports Asian Lite News
The New York State Assembly hopes to pass a legislation to observe Diwali and Lunar New Year as federal holidays.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie said that it is important to recognise New York’s rich and diverse culture.
“Therefore, it is the intention of the Assembly to pass a legislation to observe Lunar New Year and Diwali as holidays in New York State before the close of our legislative session. We will continue discussions with the stakeholders as to how this might affect the school calendar,” the statement read.
The move comes after endeavours by legislators and members of the diaspora to establish these festivals as recognised holidays in the state.
Congresswoman Grace Meng, representing NY’s 6th Congressional District, will announce the Diwali Day Act, which would designate Diwali as the 12th officially-recognised holiday in the US.
“Our holidays should recognise and reflect the great diversity of our communities and I look forward to these bills moving through the Assembly,” Meng tweeted.
For the announcement, Meng will be joined by Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, State Senator Joe Addabbo, and Councilman Shekar Krishnan.
Safety Tips: Do's & Don'ts while bursting crackers
The legislation to recognize Diwali in Pennsylvania was passed in the Pennsylvania Senate by 50-0….reports Asian Lite News
The Pennsylvania State Senate has passed a bill to recognize Diwali as an official holiday, Nikil Saval, a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate announced in a tweet.
Taking to his official Twitter handle, Nikil Saval expressed gratitude to Greg Rothman for giving him the opportunity to join him in introducing the bill. He tweeted, “The Senate voted unanimously to recognize Diwali as an official holiday! To all Pennsylvanians who celebrate this festival of light and connection: you are seen, you are welcome, you matter. Thank you, @rothman_greg, for the opportunity to join you in introducing this bill.”
Meanwhile, Greg Rothman in a tweet stated that the legislation to recognize Diwali in Pennsylvania was passed in the Pennsylvania Senate by 50-0.
Rothman tweeted, “My legislation to recognize Diwali in Pennsylvania just passed the PA Senate 50-0. Today’s vote upholds and celebrates our Commonwealth’s rich cultural diversity. Thank you @SenatorSaval for agreeing to cosponsor this piece of legislation.”
The Senate voted unanimously to recognize Diwali as an official holiday! To all Pennsylvanians who celebrate this festival of light and connection: you are seen, you are welcome, you matter. Thank you, @rothman_greg, for the opportunity to join you in introducing this bill. 🪔🪔 pic.twitter.com/CU6mDb7dYk
In an official statement, Greg Rothman said, “Thousands of Pennsylvanians celebrate Diwali each year, including many residents of the 34th Senatorial District.” He further said, “Recognizing Diwali as an official state holiday upholds and celebrates our Commonwealth’s rich cultural diversity.”
He noted that South Asian residents in Pennsylvania consider Diwali as a “time of reflection and gathering.” In the statement, Rothman stated, “For many of Pennsylvania’s nearly 200,000 South Asian residents, the Diwali “festival of light” is a time of reflection and gathering. This year, Diwali will be observed on Nov. 12.”
In the statement, Nikil Saval said, “Our Commonwealth’s official recognition of Diwali sends a clear message of inclusion to the thousands of Pennsylvanians who celebrate this festival of light and connection each year: you are seen, you are welcome, you matter.” He further stated, “It is fitting that this time for reflection on the endless struggle of light over darkness be extended statewide.” (ANI)
