Diwali fest set to grow
A Palmerston North man hopes the region’s Diwali celebrations can become bigger and brighter than ever next year.
Central Districts Indian Association vice-president Paul Patel hopes future Diwali events will be able to cater for the public’s interest in the festival.
‘‘We’ve been celebrating Diwali in Palmerston North for many years, and the numbers are definitely increasing,’’ he said.
Patel said he was in discussions with the Palmerston North City Council about holding an expanded Diwali celebration in The Square.
Such an event would include food trucks, live entertainment and, possibly, a fireworks display. He has been pushing for a bigger celebration since 2005.
Patel feels as though the people of Palmerston North are missing out on the big Diwali celebrations that happen in New Zealand’s major centres like Wellington and Auckland, which draw tens of thousands of people.
He wants members of the wider Manawatu¯ region to be involved in the excitement of celebrating Diwali and immerse themselves in the performances and unique cuisines of the festival. Many people outside the Indian community were interested in celebrating the event, he said.
‘‘Diwali is not just an Indian affair. It’s for everybody.’’
The Festival of Lights was organised by the Central Districts Indian Association and hosted at Queen Elizabeth College. The evening of entertainment featured songs and dance from local groups, as well as speeches, and was capped off with a full vegetarian Indian meal. About 480 people attended the sellout event.