The India Association of the Triad (IAT) proudly hosted its highly anticipated ‘Diwali – A Festival of Lights’ event at the Meridian Convention Center in November, in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA. This vibrant event brought together over 600 community members from the Triad cities of Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, and beyond.
Festival of lights
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most significant and widely celebrated festivals in India and worldwide. The word “Diwali” comes from the Sanskrit term “Deepavali,” meaning “row of lights.” This festival symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.
Locals and members of foreign-born communities attended the event. Among the special guests were the longest-serving Asian American elected official in North Carolina, At Large Council member Steve Rao from Morrisville, At Large City Council member Marikay Abuzuaiter, Assistant Chief Chris Schultheis of Greensboro Police, Rena Comar from the City’s People and Culture and Francisco Guzman, the Minorty Outreach Coordinator from the NC Department of Health and Human Services in Raleigh.
Assistant Chief Schultheis thanked the IAT for the invite and said he was honored to attend the event. “This type of cultural celebration and diversity here in our community shows why Piedmont Triad is so unique and such a wonderful place to be,” he said. The evening was a blend of cultural performances, delicious Indian cuisine, and community camaraderie, highlighting the spirit of Diwali.
The event was a great success, thanks to all the people who contributed and attended. The India Association of Triad would like to thank all the sponsors, vendors, guests, and supporters for their invaluable efforts.
A wonderful evening
It was a special night. Attendees were treated to a cultural showcase which included enthralling dance and music performances by talented community members and youth. The tastebuds were also tantalised with delicious food, featuring authentic Indian dishes that captured the flavors of the festival.
There were also Community Awards presented during the evening, to recognise the outstanding contributions by volunteers, youth leaders, and sponsors.
“Diwali, a great experience for other cultures, brings the victory of light over darkness with a sense of a tradition,” said Francisco Guzman. “The Indian community is unique, and showing this to other cultures can transport us to a piece of the Asian continent.
“It was a great opportunity for me to see how NC authorities can recognized the value of other traditions around the world. Thank you India Association of Triad for the wonderful impact that you have done to connect your roots with other nations.”
Reaching out
IAT President Mrs. Shanti Mukherjee expressed heartfelt gratitude to the community, saying, “Organizing Diwali celebrations in our community allows us to connect with our roots, share our rich cultural heritage with the larger Triad community, and provide a platform for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together.”
Describing how the IAT reaches out to the general populace, Board Chair Neeraj Bhadouria said, “We organize events in the community to cultivate a feeling of oneness among people and children of all age groups and give a platform for the members to showcase their talents through cultural programs throughout the year.”
The over-arching goal of the India Association of the Triad (IAT) is to build stronger communities and encourage collaboration and understanding for all the citizens of Piedmont Triad area. With this year’s Diwali celebrations being a great success and having so many attendees and vibrant performances, it looks like the IAT is delivering on that aim. May this year’s festival of lights be a beacon for all, to last until next year’s celebrations.
All photos copyright Rajesh M @2024
About India Association of the Triad
The India Association of the Triad (IAT) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed in 2002. It is dedicated to promoting Indian culture, fostering community connections, and enriching the lives of Indian and non-Indian communities in the Triad area through cultural, educational, and charitable activities, such as the Republic Day of India, Holi – A Festival of Colors, Experience India – An India Showcase Event, Independence Day of India, and Diwali – A Festival of Lights. For more information about IAT or to get involved, visit www.iatnc.org.
Smita is a multi-cultural freelance journalist, writer, and filmmaker based out of the US, London, Hong Kong, and India. Global Indian Stories is her brain-child. Created to chronicle diaspora stories written by Indians of all age groups, from different walks of life across the globe, Smita makes sure that the platform remains inclusive and positive.
