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Celebrate Diwali Nov. 11 |
| By
Krista M. Hayes |
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Nov 9, 2006 |
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In honor of Diwali: The Festival of Lights, The University of Toledo’s Indian Students Cultural Organization (ISCO) will host Diya 2006 on Saturday, Nov. 11, at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Union Auditorium on Main Campus.
Diwali is the biggest of all Hindu festivals and is celebrated by exchanging sweets, watching fireworks and lighting diyas, small oil lamps made of clay.
The Indian festival is marked by four days of celebration. Each of the four days is separated by a different tradition, but what remains consistent is the celebration of life’s enjoyment and goodness.
“The festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil, and lamps are lit as a sign of celebration and hope for mankind,” said Shital Rane, UT event manager for the Indian Students Cultural Organization.
In different areas of India, the festival commemorates different things. For example, in northern India, Diwali honors Rama’s homecoming and coronation after the defeat of the evil Ravana. In other parts of the country, people honor the goddesses Lakshmi and Kali.
Diya 2006 will depict Indian culture through music, dances, fashion shows and skits. An Indian dinner also will be provided.
“Diwali creates a feeling of togetherness, joy and hope, since all family members and friends come together to celebrate it,” Rane said. “For UT students of Indian culture, the festival is very important since it helps instill a sense of togetherness far away from home and helps show the different facets of their culture to their friends.”
Tickets for the event are $5 for UT ISCO members, $10 for student non-members and $15 for all others. Tickets can be purchased at Krishna Groceries, 3303 N. Holland-Sylvania Road; Tandoor Cuisine of India, 2247 S. Reynolds Road; Deepam India Food and Deli Market, 7406 W. Central Ave.; and Reddy Food ‘N’ Spices, 6725 W. Central Ave. Tickets also are available for purchase from any ISCO panel member.
For more information on the public event, contact Rane at srane@utnet.utoledo.edu.
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