2008 Woodie Awards
Diwali Week 2006
A Five-day party from Seven UMB Student Clubs
Amanda Huff
Issue date: 10/16/06 Section: News
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The India Club is holding a Diwali Week on the UMass Boston campus to spread the holiday to those who observe it and those who are interested. Diwali is a five-day celebration in the Hindu, Jain, Sikh and Buddhist religions and is one of their most-awaited holidays.
"Imagine it is Christmas and no one wishes you a Merry Christmas - it's a little sad and disheartening," India Club member Purnima Kompella said. "For Indian students at UMass, especially new international students, not being wished and not celebrating Diwali is a sudden change from celebrating it with fireworks and other festivities. Furthermore, UMass Boston having such a huge Indian population deems it necessary for such events so that the entire student body shares the joy and excitement of Diwali."
Diwali celebrates the triumph of good over evil and is known as the "Festival of Lights," with certain regions in India associating fireworks with the main celebration. The holiday takes place in the Hindu month of Ashwayuja, which falls between October and November.
The day of Diwali falls on Oct. 21st this year, and the events on the UMass Boston campus marking this holiday will take place Oct. 17th through the 20th.
Events on the 17 and 18 will be held on the terrace between noon and 4 p.m. The main event on the 20 will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with an after party from 9 p.m. to midnight. Two movies, Lage Raho Munnabhai, a comedy and Rang De Basanti, a 2006 Oscar-nominated film, will be shown from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on either the 18 or 19, depending on the location.
To cover the costs of the events, and to make sure that every member of the UMass Boston family and their friends and family can attend, there are several groups sponsoring the activities.
"Indian Students Association, A Face of India, MITR, a graduate club, Black Student Center, Non-Aligned Club, Armenian Students Association and the Asian Center are all sponsoring the event," Kompella said. "This event is also sponsored by the Undergraduate Student Senate and Graduate Student Senate, so we have the opportunity to offer this great event free of charge."
"Imagine it is Christmas and no one wishes you a Merry Christmas - it's a little sad and disheartening," India Club member Purnima Kompella said. "For Indian students at UMass, especially new international students, not being wished and not celebrating Diwali is a sudden change from celebrating it with fireworks and other festivities. Furthermore, UMass Boston having such a huge Indian population deems it necessary for such events so that the entire student body shares the joy and excitement of Diwali."
Diwali celebrates the triumph of good over evil and is known as the "Festival of Lights," with certain regions in India associating fireworks with the main celebration. The holiday takes place in the Hindu month of Ashwayuja, which falls between October and November.
The day of Diwali falls on Oct. 21st this year, and the events on the UMass Boston campus marking this holiday will take place Oct. 17th through the 20th.
Events on the 17 and 18 will be held on the terrace between noon and 4 p.m. The main event on the 20 will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with an after party from 9 p.m. to midnight. Two movies, Lage Raho Munnabhai, a comedy and Rang De Basanti, a 2006 Oscar-nominated film, will be shown from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on either the 18 or 19, depending on the location.
To cover the costs of the events, and to make sure that every member of the UMass Boston family and their friends and family can attend, there are several groups sponsoring the activities.
"Indian Students Association, A Face of India, MITR, a graduate club, Black Student Center, Non-Aligned Club, Armenian Students Association and the Asian Center are all sponsoring the event," Kompella said. "This event is also sponsored by the Undergraduate Student Senate and Graduate Student Senate, so we have the opportunity to offer this great event free of charge."
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