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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
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