by Elizabeth Connolly
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Be Inclusive, a local nonprofit organization that celebrates diversity and inclusivity, held its fourth annual Grand Diwali event on Saturday, November 3rd. The sold out festival was held at the United Church on Common Street, and took place from 5:00-8:30 p.m.
Led by Walpolians Shalini Satish and Shweta Singh, the event was a delightful showcase of Indian culture. It featured exciting dance performances, an enticing array of food offerings, Indian arts and crafts, henna tattoos, face painting, a 360 video photo booth, and colorful jewelry and clothing. During one act, attendees had the opportunity to learn how any rhyme or story can be made into a dance using small hand gestures, and everyone was then given the opportunity to try. “This is awesome!” a young guest exclaimed to a friend as they twirled around.
A statement from Be Inclusive reads, in part: “Diwali is one of India's biggest holidays celebrated by millions across the globe. It is also called Deepavali or the “Festival of Lights.” It is not an official public holiday in the United States, but it has grown in significance in parts of the country where growing populations of people from the Indian subcontinent live. Today, there are private and public Diwali festivals held in many places across the country.” The festival is also said to be a symbol of the achievement of light over darkness, as well as knowledge over ignorance.
The three and a half hour celebration took a large group of enthusiastic volunteers to pull off, and the event organizers would like to express their gratitude to those that helped make it possible: Imran Qazi, Neha Lohra, Sushil Prem, Travis Monnell, Erin Monnell, Kelsie Ouellette, Silpa Pande, Saranya Suresh, Kiran Prem, Komal, Nick Demelo, Purva Kale, Cassi Braithwaite, Niloufer Rakhangi, and Nikki from the Walpole Public Library, in addition to the talented performers, wonderful vendors, and the generous sponsors and grantors.
For more information about Be Inclusive, please visit beinclusivema.org.
