Shining a light
More than 270 attend Diwali dinner celebrating Indian culture
The bright glow from the candles at Sunday’s Diwali dinner did more than simply illuminate the APM Centre.
They symbolized a triumph of good over evil, as well as a growing interest in Indian culture amongst Islanders. Umesh Gupta says they are lit as a symbol of happiness, hope and love.
“It’s about sharing our light inside and shining it bright enough for everyone to enjoy,” said Gupta, one of the founding members of the Indo-Canadian Association of P.E.I. and its first president.
“I hope you and your loved ones bring light to each other every day but especially on Diwali.”
Gupta was one of more than 270 individuals who celebrated the Diwali dinner hosted by the association at Cornwall’s APM Centre, with proceeds going towards the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation. Diwali is one of the most popular Hindu festivals, although the festivities and rituals can vary depending on where it’s being celebrated.
It has been celebrated for more than 20 years in P.E.I. and often includes traditional Indian dress, food, dancing and entertainment. Association president Shiv Singh noted the event is growing with about 150 attending the dinner last year. In the past few months, he has been asked by a number of people when the event was being held.
“It’s almost getting like famous in P.E.I.,” said Singh. “Even before Diwali, everyone kept asking when we were going to celebrate it.”
He noted the event is also meant to symbolize good triumphing over evil and hope over despair.
“It’s very positive.” While this year’s dinner included the usual food and entertainment, association vice-president Sujata Saha noted there was also a bigger emphasis on sharing the culture and traditions behind the event.
“Many (Islanders) said they wanted to come because they wanted to learn more about Indian culture,” she said. “They love Indian food, Naan and butter chicken, but they also want to know more about Indian culture.”
Promoting a greater understanding and appreciation of south Asian culture is one of the association’s objectives, as well as helping newcomers adjust to life in P.E.I.
Gupta, who has seen the association grow from a handful of individuals to now about 40 members and hundreds of supporters, described how he and his wife felt like they were “in the background” when they first arrived in P.E.I. in the mid1960s.
He said they would often travel to Port Elgin, N.B., and New Glasgow, N.S., to meet others of eastern Indian origin. As more individuals from India and Pakistan began moving to P.E.I., Gupta and others began a group in 1970 called “Friends of India and Pakistan,” which was renamed to the Indo-Canadian Association of P.E.I. in 1974.
He thanked both past and current members of the association.
“It’s because of them that the association is still going strong,” he said.
“The current executive has done an outstanding job in organizing this function.”