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- Archive 2019
- 2015 Elections: 11 new BME MP’s make history
- 70th Anniversary of the Partition of India
- Black Church Manifesto Questionnaire
- Brett Bailey: Exhibit B
- Briefing Paper: Ethnic Minorities in Politics and Public Life
- Civil Rights Leader Ratna Lachman dies
- ELLE Magazine: Young, Gifted, and Black
- External Jobs
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- Gary Younge Book Sale
- George Osborne's budget increases racial disadvantage
- Goldsmiths Students' Union External Trustee
- International Commissioners condemn the appalling murder of Tyre Nichols
- Iqbal Wahhab OBE empowers Togo prisoners
- Job Vacancy: Head of Campaigns and Communications
- Media and Public Relations Officer for Jean Lambert MEP (full-time)
- Number 10 statement - race disparity unit
- Pathway to Success 2022
- Please donate £10 or more
- Rashan Charles had no Illegal Drugs
- Serena Williams: Black women should demand equal pay
- Thank you for your donation
- The Colour of Power 2021
- The Power of Poetry
- The UK election voter registration countdown begins now
- Volunteering roles at Community Alliance Lewisham (CAL)
Diwali festivities begin worldwide
Millions are celebrating the holiday of Diwali, the annual festival that lights up every autumn worldwide. Celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains alike, Diwali is an event marked by fireworks, prayers, and other festivities. It represents the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, hope over despair, and knowledge over ignorance.
Like many other religious holidays, Diwali does not have a set date – it falls according to the Hindu lunar calendar. Lasting a total of five days, Diwali begins on 19 October this year. The much-anticipated festival of lights falls on the third day, which coincides with the 15th day of the Hindu month, Kartik. Diwali is also referred to as Deepavili, a word that aptly means “rows of lighted lamps” in Sanskrit, and is widely celebrated across the whole of the South Asian subcontinent.
The “row of lighted lamps” understatedly describes the millions of clay oil lamps – divas – set out to illuminate festival-goers’ homes, shops, worshipping areas, and public spaces and ring in the beginning of the Hindu new year. Music plays, fireworks set off, and candles are lit as parts of the festivities, and families clean and decorate their homes and dress in new clothes. They may hold a family puja – prayers to Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, fortune, and prosperity.
We wish everyone partaking in the celebration of Diwali a wonderful next few days.
Ayan Goran