Home    Happenings   November 2003

Happenings in the Keweenaw Peninsula November 5, 2003 Text and photo © 2003 MTU Indian Students Association Press Release. Reprinted with permission.

MTU Indian Students to celebrate Diwali, festival of lights, Nov. 8

HOUGHTON -- The Indian Students Association (ISA) at Michigan Tech University will celebrate Diwali, the "festival of lights," with exotic and authentic Indian food and cultural performances on Saturday, Nov. 8.

The dinner will be served at 7 p.m. in the Wadsworth Hall cafeteria on campus.

"To retain the authentic taste of the food, we are shipping the food from an Indian restaurant in Appleton (Wis.)," said Sheetal Hosmani, ISA treasurer.

The menu includes the following courses: 
1)Samosa(Appetizer)
2)Nan
3)pulav+Raitha
4)Chicken Masala
5)Chilli Chicken
6)Matar Paneer
7)Channa Masala
8)Gulab Jamun (Dessert)
9)Beverage (pop)

The cultural performances will be held in the Rozsa Center, beginning at 8:30 p.m. Sheetal noted the ISA members work hard for a month or so to put on a dazzling show for this event, which has been celebrated at MTU for many years.

Indian students perform a traditional dance. (Photo courtesy MTU Indian Students Association)

Anybody is welcome to attend this event by purchasing a Non-Member ticket for $15, which includes dinner and the cultural performances. Member tickets are $10; Associate Member (Family) Tickets, $35; Performance Only Tickets, $8 (dinner not included). Tickets are available in the Rozsa Center.

Sheetal said the 2002 Diwali Nite attracted about 400 to 500 people.

"It was great to celebrate one of India's favorite festivals -- not just with other Indians but also with the Americans and the other International students," she added. "We are looking forward to another great experience this year."

In India, Diwali symbolizes that age-old culture which teaches people to vanquish ignorance that subdues humanity and to drive away darkness that engulfs the light of knowledge. Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated to symbolize the triumph of good over evil. Even today in this modern world Diwali projects the rich and glorious past of India and teaches the true values of life. This festival is celebrated on a grand scale in almost all the regions of India and is looked upon mainly as the beginning of the New Year.

Diwali, it is surmised, dates back to that period when perhaps history was not written. In its progress through the centuries it lighted a path for thousands to attain the ultimate good and complete ecstasy. Diwali on the whole has always been a festival with more social than religious connotations. It is a personal, people-oriented occasion when enmities are forgotten and families and friends meet and enjoy and establish closeness.

According to Ramayana (the Hindu epic), Diwali commemorates the return of Ram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the eldest son of King Dasharath of Ayodhya, from his 14-year exile with Sita and Lakshman after killing the Ravan, a demon king. The people of Ayodhya illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas (oil lamps) and fireworks to celebrate the return of their king. Hence, Diwali is known as the "festival of lights." 

Read more about the origin and celebration of Diwali.

Visit the Keweenaw Now discussion forums to comment on this article.