Luxembourg witnessed a vibrant Diwali recently where attendees from Luxembourg, different parts of Europe, and the UK have congregated to celebrate the festival.
The celebrations began with an offering to five macro elements (fire, water, wind, earth, and ether), prayers, and the blowing of the conch by Krishna Kripa Dasa. Dr. Lakshmi Vyas, President of Hindu Forum Europe outlined the history and activities of HFE since its inception in 2006.
Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India to Belgium and Luxembourg Debasish Prusty extended Diwali greetings to all and highlighted that the festival is a time to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.
Prayers at Diwali by Krishna Krupa Dasa
The inaugural had classical dance presentations- Kathak by Arsha and Bharatanatyam by Ragasudha Vinjamuri, followed by a classical Tamil song by Mrs. Uma Rangarajan. The cultural program also included Bharatanatyam by Vedhikha, songs by young Om Sankar and Diya Ganesh, and semi-classical Bollywood dances by Nishi Joshi-Bhatt and a local young troupe.
Help and support from various people were acknowledged on the occasion, and a vote of thanks was rendered. The evening concluded with an Indian meal provided by the restaurant Kripa.
The event was co-organised by Hindu Forum Luxembourg spearheaded by Ambi Venkataraman and team, who also highlighted the activities of HFL and the plan to build a Shiva Vishnu Hindu Temple in Luxembourg. There were also other presentations of communal interest made on the occasion.
Swami Rameshwarananda and Dr Lakshmi Vyas with Deputy Chief of Mission Mr Debasish
Deputy Chief of Mission Mr Debasish Prusty with Organisers and Members
Deputy Chief of Mission Mr Debasish Prusty
Classical Dance by Vedhikha
It is interesting and noteworthy how the festival of Diwali is marked in different parts of the UK. Unique events range from cultural programs at a variety of venues to staff parties in the corporate sector.
To mark this special occasion, the iconic London eye changed its colour to celebrate the festival of lights recently.
Speaking to Asian Lite correspondent, organiser Ravi Bhanot MBE says “We are grateful that London Eye and the Diwali in London Committee helped organise the event.”. “It is amazing that Diwali, the festival of lights, this year sees the London Eye change colour to rangoli colours and also sees a man of colour as the first Prime Minister of Great Britain, on the same day.”
Lord Rami Ranger, who switched the London Eye colour said, “It is nice to see London enjoy the diversification of culture. It makes the country strong.”
CGI in Dubai Dr Aman Puri quoted PM Narendra Modi during the celebration saying that the Indian diaspora are the permanent ambassadors of the country, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
Indian expats in UAE and other senior officials, and government missions have celebrated Diwali, symbolising the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, with colourful lights, earthen lamps and candles.
This is the first time after Covid-19 that the residents of Dubai are celebrating Diwali at a grand scale.
Consulate General of India in Dubai celebrated 6th International Day of Diplomats and Diwali in the presence of members of Diplomatic Community in Dubai and senior representatives from Dubai Local Authority on Monday.
On the Indian festival of lights, the CGI hosted a lavish dinner reception with dignitaries, including senior officials of the UAE Government, friends of India, members of diplomatic corps, prominent representatives from the country’s business community, and other fields.
Dr Aman Puri, consul-general of India, quoted Prime Minister Modi during the celebration saying that the Indian diaspora are the permanent ambassadors of the country, the Khaleej Times reported.
“He (PM Modi) says that the career diplomats are the temporary ambassadors and members of our community by reflecting, by showcasing the best of Indian values and by building these bridges of business and investment, culture, academia… are truly our permanent ambassadors, helping the relationship between the two countries,” KT quoted Dr Puri as saying.
“This brings me to the splendid Diwali celebrations in Dubai which truly become special because of this large and vibrant in community bringing the Diwali cheer, sharing the true spirit of Diwali with all their brothers and sisters, from over 200 nationalities who consider the UAE their second home. I must say that our community is truly the living bridge between the two countries.”
The event also witnessed a cultural performance of Indian classical dances by the UAE based Gurukul group.
Meanwhile, well-known Emirati and former Diplomat Mirza Al Sayegh who was also one of the key attendees said, “I’d like to say Happy Diwali to everyone. It’s the (Indian) community that I cherish, love, support, worked with and lived with during my tenure as First Secretary, at the UAE Embassy in New Delhi, and then (Head) at the UAE Consular Mission in Bombay, as a Counsellor.”
He even shared memories of when the first few Indian expats arrived in the country, saying that they would distribute sweets on the festival, the Khaleej Times reported.
The world’s tallest building Burj Khalifa displayed a colourful projection to mark the Indian Festival of Lights, which is widely celebrated in UAE every year.
In Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) headquarters, a key landmark in the UAE capital, was lit up in various colours to commemorate Diwali.
Sunjay Sudhir, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, lighted the façade of Adnoc headquarters.
Appreciating the gesture, the ambassador tweeted: “You are not only a part of India’s energy security but also it’s celebrations.”
Indian expats in UAE and other senior officials, and government missions celebrate Diwali
Leaders wish Indian community
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday wished peace, and prosperity to people celebrating Diwali, in three different languages including Hindi.
“Congratulations to all of those in the UAE and around the world celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights, and may the year ahead be one of peace, prosperity and happiness for you and your families,” UAE President tweeted.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, took to Twitter and wrote: “On the behalf of the people of the UAE, we congratulate all those who celebrate Diwali. Wishing them a happy festival.”
Extending his greetings to everyone celebrating Diwali, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan wrote in Hindi and wished everyone “happiness, joy, peace and health.”
“Wishing the friendly people of India a very prosperous Diwali,” he added.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai also wished everyone on the occasion. “To everyone celebrating Diwali worldwide, Dubai wishes you a happy Diwali. May this occasion bring joy and happiness to all of you,” he wrote.
This is the first time after Covid-19 that the residents of Dubai are celebrating Diwali at a grand scale, with the participation of different government and corporate bodies.
New York City, incidentally, is home to more than 2,00,000 people of Indian origin…reports Asian Lite News
Priyanka Chopra welcomed Diwali with a shoutout to Jennifer Rajkumar, the first Indian American woman to be elected Member of the New York State Assembly, who lobbied to get Diwali declared a public school holiday in New York City from 2023.
Rajkumar, whose 2020 Assembly race was endorsed by California Congressman Ro Khanna, represents certain neighbourhoods in the Queens and also chairs the sub-committee on diversity in law. New York City, incidentally, is home to more than 2,00,000 people of Indian origin.
Chopra, who’s best-known in the U.S. for her performance in the FBI drama series ‘Quantico’, reposted a video to her Instagram Story where Rajkumar announced the news. Along with the video, Chopra wrote: “After all these years! My teenage self living in Queens is crying tears of joy. #representationmatters.”
Last Diwali, Chopra, who’ll be seen soon with Richard Madden in the sci-fi television series ‘The Citadel’, had posted pictures of the celebrations at her home, with her husband, Nick Jonas, attired in Indian clothes.
Texas Governor celebrates Diwali with Indian-Americans.(photo:Greg Abbott/Twitter)
The couple was dressed in ethnic Indian attire as they welcomed guests, and also lit the traditional lamp to mark the festival.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott celebrated Diwali with prominent members of the Indian-American community at his official residence in Austin, the state capital.
“Tonight, Cecilia & I celebrated Diwali at the Governor’s Mansion. We welcomed friends as we lit Diwali lamps & celebrated the victory of light over darkness, goodness over evil, & hope over despair. Happy Diwali to those celebrating the Festival of Lights!,” Abbott tweeted and shared pictures from the event.
The couple was dressed in ethnic Indian attire as they welcomed guests, and also lit the traditional lamp to mark the festival.
Diwali is annually celebrated at Abbott’s official residence in Texas, which is home to the second-largest Indian-American population in the US.
It was only in 2020 that the event was cancelled due to Covid.
Indian-Americans were true partners in the growth of the Texas economy and have enhanced the values of Texas, Abbott said according to local media reports.
Texas Governor celebrates Diwali with Indian-Americans. (Photo:Greg Abbott/Twitter)
“We are glad they have called Texas their home,” he said.
The event was attended by Consul General of India in Houston, Aseem Mahajan, Arun Agarwal, vice-chair of Texas Economic Development Corporation, and Dr Satish Nayak, who serves on Texas medical board as governors’ appointee.
Members from the Indian Association of North Texas and US India Friendship Council also marked their presence.
PM arrives at Kargil to cerebrates Deepavali with brave solider on October 24, 2022.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who landed in Kargil on Monday to celebrate the festival of light with soldiers said Diwali means the “festival of end of terror” and that Kargil had made it possible.
Addressing soldiers Prime Minister said, “For me, all of you have been my family for years now. It is a privilege to spend Diwali with our brave jawans in Kargil.”
“The forces are the pillar of India’s security. From this victorious land of Kargil, I wish the countrymen and the world a very happy Diwali. There has not been a single war with Pakistan where Kargil has not hoisted the flag of victory. The meaning of Diwali is end of Atank (terror) and Kargil made it possible,” he said.
“In Kargil, our forces crushed terror. I was fortunate enough to be a witness. I was shown my old photos here, and I am grateful for that,” he added.
The Prime Minister has been celebrating the festival with soldiers for several years now.
In 2019, the Prime Minister celebrated Diwali with soldiers in the Rajouri district along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. He had called soldiers as his family and lauded them for guarding the borders even during festivals. He had exchanged Diwali greetings with the Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel at Pathankot Air Force Station.
In 2018, Prime Minister Modi had celebrated Diwali with jawans of the Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), at Harsil in Uttarakhand. Following that he had offered prayers at the Kedarnath shrine. In 2017, the Prime Minister celebrated the festival of light with army soldiers and Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in the Gurez Valley of Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipora District.
PM arrives at Kargil to cerebrates Deepavali with brave solider on October 24, 2022.
In 2016, the PM went to Himachal Pradesh to celebrate the festival with Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel at an outpost.
He visited the Punjab border to celebrate Diwali with soldiers in 2015. In 2014, Prime Minister Modi spent Diwali in Siachen with soldiers.
Notably, PM Modi has been visiting soldiers on Diwali, ever since he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. (ANI)
Festive Fashion the Bollywood Way. (Photo Sources:IANSLIFE)
Festivals are charming and significant in their own right. We celebrate it fervently and with great joy. Delectable meals are made and homes are decorated. People attend gatherings and parties dressed in their traditional best. Get inspired
A bandhi & shades
Ranveer Singh, is well renowned for his taste in clothing, looks dashing in this ethnic ensemble. The actor wore off-white kurta, a burgundy Bandhi with matching glares. All white ensemble
If you don’t want to go overboard, this outfit is understated yet still ideal for the festive season. RajKummar Rao looks sharp in complete white.
Prints galore
In this printed and textured kurta, Shahid Kapoor looks dapper. The matching scarf, velvet boots and white pants complete the look.
Jewel tones
Sidharth Malhotra wears a smart jewel toned blue kurta with off-white thread embroidery. The look is young and chic.
Bollywood style
Inspired by celluloid and Manish Malhotra, opt for a bling kurta with a dupatta to make heads turn, Varun Dhawan style!
The Pathan
Choosing a classic pathani kurta and shalwar, King Khan proves he’s the frontrunner when it comes to fashion too! The actor prefers to keep his clothing stylish.
Festive Fashion the Bollywood Way. (Photo Sources:IANSLIFE)Festive Fashion the Bollywood Way. (Photo Sources:IANSLIFE)Festive Fashion the Bollywood Way. (Photo Sources:IANSLIFE)Festive Fashion the Bollywood Way. (Photo Sources:IANSLIFE)Festive Fashion the Bollywood Way. (Photo Sources:IANSLIFE)Festive Fashion the Bollywood Way. (Photo Sources:IANSLIFE)Festive Fashion the Bollywood Way. (Photo Sources:IANSLIFE)
The Punjabi affair
Vicky Kaushal’s striped kurta pyajama set teamed with Kohlpuri sandals and shades is perfect for a day of festivities.
Dapper dude
Bollywood’s “chocolate boy,” Ranbir Kapoor, has the physique to wear Indian clothing flawlessly, and this textured kurta teamed with silver rings shows that men can flaunt jewellery with confidence.
Style Nawabi
The Pataudi never fails to grab headlines for his minimal looks and always manages to look chic. when it comes to fashion, he’s always got his right foot forward.
Six Fun Ways To Celebrate Diwali Safely With Your Kids This Year!.(photo:IANSLIFE)
Step into the kitchen with your children and share the joy of cooking with them. Sit and mould ladoos in perfect and not-so-perfect ways but create memories in the process…writes Mansi Zaveri
This is the season of celebration and there’s joy, light and happiness everywhere around us. As we look to take a break from school and work to spend time to indulge in the festivities, the idea is to have a good time, together, with family and friends while devouring our favourite treats and reminiscing our childhood memories!
Celebrate the Diwali break with your kids in a way that is relaxing, engaging, entertaining and safe. Go ahead and bookmark these points. Choose Comfort Over Style
Yes, Diwali is all about those designer lehengas, sherwanis, sarees and dhotis. Go ahead, pamper yourself and the family and opt for a sustainable designer wear brand and get the photo-ops done and out of the way. But after it is done, choose clothing that is comfortable. Especially when bursting fire crackers say yes to comfort and safety and no to over flowy dresses.
Join Hands With Your Li’l Masterchef
Step into the kitchen with your children and share the joy of cooking with them. Sit and mould ladoos in perfect and not-so-perfect ways but create memories in the process!
Bond Over Rangoli
Another safe and fun way to engage kids is to bond over colours- another beautiful custom we have in Indian culture. There’s some serious focus and dedication kids learn when they design colourful Rangoli or the simpler alternative- Kolam in South India. Hand them over a pack of colours, and some Rangoli stencils and give them a dedicated space. If they are too young, a corner of their room would do. For the older ones, trust them with the space near the entrance of your house. They will feel happy! P.S- remember not to deck them with the prettiest or newest clothes when doing Rangoli!
Book Your Time For Movie Nights
After a tiring schedule of celebration, parties and endless selfies, wind the day with the best activity with your kids. Bookmark a list of the best family-friendly movies you can watch with the kids on OTT. There’s nothing better than cosy cuddles with your kids and a bowl of makhanas or popcorn- try it!
Create Best From Waste
From discarded pista or groundnut shells to old leaves and flowers to pencil sharpenings, there is just so much we can do to decorate the house and the child’s room, to proudly display our attempts! Try it, it is a lot of fun!!
Answer Their Whys
Kids need answers. All the time. Every time. When they see you making those laddoos, or the Laxmi Pooja or lighting so many lamps- they are going to be asking you all the questions about why we do what we do. Why not answer it in a language they understand? Tune into kids podcasts or watch exclusive kids videos on YouTube with a puppet show on Ramayan to answer their questions. Read books on Diwali, listen to podcasts on stories that answer the whys and hows. Search for the I Am Not Bored podcast that answers all of your child’s questions and addresses that curiosity.
Incorporate rice porridge in your meal planning -Kanji from South India, or Khichdi, comfort food for most Indians made from rice and lentils…reports Asian Lite News
People are worried about how to combine their overindulgent lifestyle with wanting to keep a healthy body and mind as we return to physically interacting during the holiday season. The doctors at CGH Earth Wellness centers have created a useful list of easy, at-home suggestions that one can use before and after Diwali. Following Diwali, a comprehensive 7-15-day Panchakarma (Detoxification) programme is advised to get rid of toxins and boost the immune system for well being and health.
Doctors at CGH Earth Experience Wellness said “Diwali marks the beginning of a new year as per the Hindu calendar. It is the ideal time to renew yourself, a fresh new start, a new beginning of a new journey to good health. We recommend taking an Ayurveda Detox and Cleanse to correct the imbalances in your body and arrest the onset of any diseases. This is the best Diwali gift you can give yourself or your dear ones.”
Ayurvedic guidelines for healthy eating habits:
. Eat on time, 2 or 3 times a day: If you are not hungry, eat only a light meal. Keep a 4-6 hour gap between main meals: In between the main meals, if you feel hungry, you can have a few nuts, fruits or salads,and fruit/vegetable juices, only if you are hungry. This will ensure that your metabolism works efficiently and provides the correct nourishment to your body.
. Use fresh/organic turmeric powder and black pepper to spice up your cooking
Incorporate rice porridge in your meal planning -Kanji from South India, or Khichdi, comfort food for most Indians made from rice and lentils.
. Drink 1 glass of lime juice mixed with room temperature water- Avoid cold water or ice cubes. You can sweeten it with organic Jagger or honey instead of sugar.
. Drink golden milk- Add a pinch of organic turmeric powder to warm (not hot) milk at bedtime which can be sweetened with organic honey.
. Avoid cold, frozen, half cooked & deep-fried foods as much as possible
. Avoid food prepared with maida – refined or all-purpose flour: Avoid white bread, buns, rusk, parottas, bakery items, and other varieties of refined flour.
.Eat 1-2 Indian gooseberries (amla) every day: However, avoid eating raw food during infection in the body
. Drinking Ayurvedic herbal tea during the day – Recipe in annexure
. Food, exercise, and sleep are the three pillars of health. So please make sure that you eat healthily and get enough exercise and health.
Ayurveda herbal tea recipe
Tea can be made with one of the following spices or herbs:
. Dry toasted coriander seeds
. Crushed dry ginger
. Cinnamon
. Liquorice stick
. Tulsi leaves
Method
. For 1 liter of water, take 10 to 15 tulsi leaves, 5 to 6 slices of crushed ginger (10 gms), or 10 gms of dry cinnamon stick, or coriander seeds.
. Boil water with one of these ingredients. Take 1 1/2 liter of water and reduce it to 1 liter. Strain the water and store the herbal drink in a thermos. Drink 1/2 glass every hour.
. A great combination for herbal tea is a few freshly picked tulsi leaves with 1/2 inch crushed ginger and 1/2 inch licorice stick.
Health tips as per Ayurvedic principles for a guilt-free Diwali.(Photo: IANSLIFE)
Check into one of the personalised preventive and therapeutic programmes available at CGHEarth Experience Wellnesscenters, which are recognised for providing real Ayurveda and Naturopathy in stunning and opulent settings. Regular detoxification is a crucial component of these treatments because it aids in the body’s reset and balance restoration.
CGH Earth Ayurveda a part of the wellness wing of CGH Earth offers an inclusive approach to healthy living and healing based on traditional and authentic Ayurveda principles. Take a Shodhana program starting 14 days at Kalari Rasayana in Southern Kerala, nestled in verdant nature surrounded by thick coconut groves and mini floating islands for optimum results. Or book yourself a full Panchakarma for 21 days at Kalari Kovlikam in North Kerala, a 200-year-old palace where history meets tranquility and see how your body and mind transform.
The British side of the talks is being led by. Badenoch and her team at the Department for International Trade ( DIT )…reports Asian Lite News
India and Britain are engaged in “intensive negotiations” to conclude a trade deal, a foreign affairs spokesperson for the British government said on Wednesday.
An India-UK trade deal is not expected by Diwali on Monday — a deadline that the sides were working towards.
“We are currently not expecting to have a final deal by the end of Diwali, which the International Trade Secretary [Kemi Badenoch] set out herself last week,” the spokesperson said at a briefing for the foreign press on Wednesday.
Comments two weeks ago by British Home Secretary Suella Braverman that she had “some reservations” about the trade deal as Indians were the largest group of visa overstayers in the U.K. (mobility of professionals is usually a core topic for India across trade deals) had not gone down well with India.
The British side of the talks is being led by. Badenoch and her team at the Department for International Trade ( DIT ). However, British Prime Minister Liz Truss “undermined the negotiations by regularly messaging” Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, claiming that this hurry to get the deal done by Diwali had given the Indian side an advantage.
Nevertheless, the British government said on Wednesday that the countries were still on track for a good deal.
“But we still fully expect to get a good and comprehensive free trade deal with India that fully benefits both sides,” the spokesperson said on Wednesday.
