Abu Dhabi: Diwali, the festival of lights, was celebrated yesterday around the world. I am a part of a social support group of approximately 150 professionals from the city of Jabalpur, India, based here in the UAE. Members of our group hosted grand celebrations for Diwali on Friday, November 2 at a hotel in Dubai.
Around 140 members of different faiths attended the celebrations with the motto, “Unity in Diversity”. The celebrations commenced with a diya or lamp lighting ceremony, followed by a welcome speech and information about the social and support activities of the group, along with its future plans.
Respected doctors, engineers and professional intellectuals of the ‘Jabalpurian group’ were felicitated during the event. The celebrations continued with cultural activities performed by children of different age groups. They performed Indian classical dance, sang songs, played tunes using different musical instruments. There were also some games organised for the attendees.
A cultural and talent show was organised and all the winners of the games and performers were awarded gifts. The last bit was the dinner, which was a traditional Indian meal prepared specially for Diwali. Our members helped to make this occasion a grand success.
We express thanks to all attendees, members of the group, participants, winners and the sponsors of the event. The celebration was wrapped up with a pledge by all members that we would meet again for Christmas.
