Medway's South Asian community kicks off Diwali celebrations

KentOnline / KMTV

The annual festival of lights is set for the 12th of this month, however, the Sahara Foundation hosted their very own Diwali event for the South Asian community.

Transcript

00:00 A day filled with bright colours, traditions and laughter.

00:05 Medway's South Asian community got together and started their Diwali celebrations early.

00:09 The Sahara Foundation, which focuses on supporting elderly South Asian people, hosted a special

00:15 event for the Festival of Lights, which is celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs around the

00:20 world.

00:21 So we always have a monthly social event. This is part of that. It's called Galbad.

00:25 This is our chance to make it something special, make it super colourful, related to Diwali

00:30 with the candle making, have the dance. So yeah, that's how, just using that opportunity

00:36 to make it more bright and special.

00:38 I think perhaps more can be done to promote cohesion amongst communities. So an event

00:42 like this for example, we've got lots of South Asian people here and that's great, but I

00:47 think it would be even better if we had different communities coming and kind of learning about

00:52 each other.

00:53 This year, Diwali is set to be on the 12th of November and for many of those celebrating,

00:58 it marks a new beginning and the triumph of light over darkness.

01:02 But for those who came to the event, they had a head start. Some of the activities people

01:06 took part in include glass candle painting and Bollywood dancing.

01:10 We were so excited and we got up early and we were thinking we are meeting our friends

01:17 and then all day we will have fun and meeting the new people and talk about our hobbies

01:25 and things like that. And it's very good for the elderly and retired person because otherwise

01:33 we feel alone in the houses.

01:36 But while this was an event celebrating Diwali, it was about combating loneliness within the

01:40 community too. Many of those who came said the support group has greatly benefited their

01:45 social life.

01:46 It's nice that we mix everybody together. I come to every occasion of Saharas. Every

01:55 occasion with Parmajit organised, we've always been here and I appreciate what she's doing.

02:01 The number one thing is that because the winter is drawing in, it makes people get out of

02:06 the house. Like if this wasn't organised, people will be inside with heavy rain in there.

02:13 But this is what made people come out.

02:15 So today's dress code was traditional clothing. So I've come in my own traditional clothes

02:19 and I've decided to take part in all the fun and I'm currently painting my own glass candle

02:24 holder.

02:25 But it's safe to say my attempt at painting the glass candle holder was nowhere near as

02:29 good as some of the others.

02:30 Mahima Abedin for KMTV in Gillingham.

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