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Diwali delights

1/12/2002

THE Indian community all over Greater Manchester celebrated Diwali - the sweetest of all Hindu ceremonies said to mark the return of the god Lord Rama from a 14 year exile in the forest.

One of the biggest gatherings took place on the first day of Diwali when over 800 people attended Manchester Indian Associations celebration of Whythenshawe Forum. Association president Dr Yogesh Virmani greeted the audience reminding them of the significance of the occasion.

She said: "Diwali to Indian communities in Britain and all over the world means not only the festival of illuminations but also the festival of sweets. It really is the sweetest of all the festivals. Friends, on this auspicious occasion, on behalf of the executive committee and other sister organisations, I welcome you and wish you a happy Diwali and a prosperous New Year."

The show that followed featured brilliant dancing and singing by members of the Indian community. The Northwest Asian Arts troupe performed traditional and modern Bollywood dances and the Jain Samaj Youth Group gave an exciting display of Gujurati stick dancing. After spectacular fireworks in the Forum square followed by Indian food, the Perna Group sung light classical Bhajans. The formal part of the evening ended with a youth adventure and fashion show directed by Karishma Sethi and Nikesh Vallabh.

MORE tasty food was on offer at the Hindu mission in Ashton when worshippers celebrated AnKut - which marks the start of the Hindu New Year. Mission member Shailesh Patel said: "We offer the food to our god and offer it to the people who have come to worship."

Elderly Indians who feel young at heart also enjoyed a Dewali feast at the Indian senior citizens centre in Manchester. Men and women who were dressed in colourful saris enjoyed delicious food before taking part in special prayers in the main hall. Guests were also given a tour of the new centre on Whalley Road, which caters for the social, health and welfare needs of its members.

The centre contains a computer learning suit, a gym, a health unit and offers arts and crafts tuition as well as daily meals all free. It is open to all elderly people of the area Asian or white.

Said co-ordinator of the learning centre Dr Ajit Halder: "We are here for the total care of a person, this includes physical and mental needs. People who use the enter have a variety of activities to choose from and they enjoy coming in because they know they will being looked after."

The traditional Diwali festival in Oldham was held at the local association's centre in Hathershaw. Members of the local Indian Association were greeted by the town's first Asian Mayor, Pakistani born Riaz Ahmad.