This year’s Diwali celebration, held on Oct. 14 from 12pm to 2pm , was more than just a cultural event, it was a chance to share traditions, food, and joy with the entire campus community.
Many South Asians and Indian descended people all over the globe celebrate Diwali by giving and receiving gifts, gathering with loved ones, creating vibrant rangolis, sharing in henna/mehndi body art, and bringing offerings to temples.
“90% of the decorations are my personal ornaments, and I worked really hard to make sure that a little bit of everything India has to offer was displayed,” said Anamika Dua, head event coordinator and planner.
For many individuals, Diwali is a time to renew oneself and bring new energy for the new incoming year.
“The importance of Diwali is that it represents light overcoming the darkness, essentially the traditional theme of good versus evil.” said Victoria Turner, technical services librarian and a part of the Diwali celebrating committee.
Hosted by the office of Student Life and the International Student Organization, the annual event brought together more than an estimated 150 attendees to honor one of India’s most vibrant holidays. ECC’s first Diwali celebration was held on November 15, 2023.
Students showcased a mix of traditional and modern performances, from Bollywood dance numbers and classical Bharatanatyam routines to musical rendition with the sounds of the tabla and sitar.
“The music and the overall joyous vibe is what keeps me coming back every year.” said Lauren Sullivan, reference librarian, when asked why she attended although not being religiously affiliated with the celebration .
In addition to performances, the event featured food stalls offering classic Indian food like the spicy samosas, sweet gulab jamun, and creamy mango lassi. For many attendees, the delicious and savory food was the highlight of the event.
“We will have samosas, gulab jamun and mango lassi. We are catering the food and making sure we have enough for everyone that decides to show up and support” said Stacy Shah, distance learning librarian and event committee member. Shah celebrates Diwali with her husband, Milan Shah originally from Gujarat, and two kids (ages 13 and 10) who are also of Indian descent.
The decorations transformed the space into a festival scene that seemed straight out of India with intricate rangoli designs made with lively colors, golden string lights illuminating the Jobe lounge, and the beauty of mehndi/henna body art being done.
“Our goal was to make this event as inclusive and authentic as possible.” said Dua. “The theme we were trying to convey for this year was unity and diversity.”
Beyond the music, food, and lights, student organizers and faculty emphasized Diwali’s deeper message of renewal and unity.
“The heart of the celebration is about hope,” said second year student volunteer Yatri Patel. “It takes us about two school days to set up everything. The community comes together and it’s a very fun time.”
As the event was coming to an end, attendees lingered, snapping pictures with one another, of the decorations, and exchanging hugs. The event left many inspired to learn more about different cultures that are represented at ECC.
This academic fall semester, roughly 800 Asian students attend ECC according to statistics provided by ECC officials. Individuals who identify as Indian-American fall within this demographic. Asian students represent nearly 10% of all this semester’s enrollment.
“Celebrations like these make us feel seen, heard, and loved.” states Dua. “It’s not just about one tradition or religion, it’s about sharing light and goodness with everyone.”
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Attendees and Student volunteers watch and cheer the dancing performances during the Diwali Celebration, on October 14th 2025. The celebration drew in a lot of students and faculty to attend, with many learning and embracing the festive holiday’s food, activities, and culture.
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Sophomore, Yatri Patel, discusses her history with the Diwali Celebration on October 14th 2025, having taken part in the celebration last year’s event. Yatri is one of many volunteers that have taken apart in the event, all embracing and educating those attending of the festive holiday.
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ECC Librarians, Victoria Turner and Lauren Sullivan, engage in the festivities at the Diwali Celebration on October 14th 2025. Turner is part of the Diwali Planning Committee, joining the organization to embrace the culture
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Organizer, Sushil Morker, serves appetizers to students, describing the foods that are typically cooked during the holiday, on October 14th 2025. Morker has been part of the event’s Diwali Planning Committee since it’s inception in 2022.
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Henna design being pasted on a student’s hand during the Diwali Celebration in the Jobe Lounge, on October 14th 2025. Many students and faculty cited henna’s interesting design and compelling history to what drew them to this event’s activity.
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Organizer, Anamkia Dua, explains how the process of henna works, detailing the paste dyeing onto the skin and how it is represented during the time of Diwali. Dua has lead and organized the celebration for all three of its years, stating at its inception as the first ever in the college’s 75 years.
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One of the various decorations displayed throughout the Jobe Lounge for the Diwali Celebration on October 14th 2025. This decoration, called a toran, is a decorative hanging used as an entrance symbolizing hospitality and welcoming.
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Students and faculty gather for food and activities at ECC’s annual Diwali Celebration, on October 14th 2025. The celebration has taken place every Fall in the Jobe Lounge since 2022.
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Student volunteer, Dhyani Patel creates henna designs on the hands of people attending ECC’s Diwali Celebration, on October 14th 2025. The first-year student volunteered for the event, saying what intrigued her about volunteering was, “a strong sense of unity with my religion”.
ECC’s Diwali celebration continues to grow each year, offering both local and distant students a chance to experience the brilliance of cultural exchange.
