Diwali on the Square in London, 30,000 people attended

London, Nov. 10, 2007
Col. Labh Singh

Hindus and Sikhs celebrate Diwali with great enthusiasm and in most ways very similarly to as in India. People clean and decorate their homes with lamps. People also give each other sweets such as laddoo and barfi, and the different communities may gather from around the country for a religious ceremony and get-together

On Sunday 28 October 2007, Trafalgar Square hosted celebrations to mark Diwali, the Festival of Light,organised by the Mayor of London and the Diwali in London Committee in association with Tilda. Some 30,000 people were there during the afternoon to see the square transformed by magical light displays, floating lanterns, and music and dance performances.

Diwali on the Square is a wonderful day for all the family. The celebrations started at noon with traditional Indian garba folk dancing plus sari wearing demonstrations. This was followed by the stage show at 3.30pm with messages and prayers for peace, cultural performances by children and young people, music and dance. In addition there were stalls in the square with tasty vegetarian food, children's crafts corner, Diwali exhibition, henna painting and much more.

The stage show had the following themes:

• Music and Dance from states of India including classical Bharata Natyam dances, folk dances, a fisherwoman’s dance, a Holi dance, a Jain dance and Bhangra.

• Symbols of India including peacock dance, lotus dance, snake dance and dances commemorating India’s 60 years of independence.
  

Diwali on the Square in association with Tilda Pure Basmati is also supported by Transport for London, Metropolitan Police Service, India Tourism, B4U and Sunrise Radio. Courtesy of Mayor of London, the London Assembly and the Greater London Authority.

Diwali at Leicester, UK
The celebrations are organised by Leicester City Council and Leicester Hindu Festival Council.

This year, Leicester’s Diwali lights on Belgrave Road was switched on at a special ceremony on Sunday 28th October. There were more celebrations and a firework display on Cossington Street Recreation Ground on Diwali Day, Friday 9th November.

Alliance & Leicester are sponsoring Leicester's Diwali 2007 celebrations for the fifth consecutive year.

The Leicester 2007 Diwali Guide was available in shops, sports clubs, and city council venues throughout the city.



Leicester City Council would like to thank the European Regional Developement Fund (ERDF) for their contribution to this event.

On Diwali Day, Friday 9th November, Belgrave Road, including the flyover, was closed to traffic from 6.00pm until 9.30pm. Please note that on this day the emergency services and Leicester City Council will need to maintain two clear routes through the Belgrave area for emergency vehicles.In the interests of public safety, members of the public are asked not to bring fireworks to the celebrations. Both the City Council and the Emergency Services take the issue of fireworks very seriously and the use of fireworks in a public area will not be tolerated. Event stewards will report to the police any people letting off fireworks.

The Alliance & Leicester will once again be sponsoring Leicester’s Diwali 2007 celebrations. This is the fifth consecutive year that the locally based company is sponsoring this major festival in the city.

Sir Derek Higgs, Chairman of Alliance & Leicester, said "Alliance & Leicester is delighted to be involved in the sponsorship of Leicester's Diwali celebrations for the fifth year running. Leicestershire has a thriving, diverse community and we are committed to playing our part in supporting the community through staff volunteering, sponsorship and charitable donations. I would like to wish everyone a happy and peaceful Diwali and hope everyone enjoys the celebrations".

Cllr Andy Connelly, Leicester City Council's Cabinet lead for culture, said "Leicester's Diwali celebrations are well-known. I am delighted that Alliance & Leicester is sponsoring our celebrations again. They have worked in partnership with us for several years to help make Leicester's Diwali celebrations very successful ...Courtesy of Leicester City Council

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in his message, said "I am glad to learn that the UK charity, The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, has chosen the auspicious occasion of Diwali to celebrate this year's award scheme." "Diwali is a joyous festival and a time of celebration. There is a large Indian community in the UK which add to the country's
cultural diversity. I wish the Duke of Edinburgh's Award all success in contributing towards better understanding among communities and cultures," Singh said in the message read out by India's acting High Commissioner to the UK, Asoke Mukerji.