Video by Sarahi Apaez.
India’s most significant holiday of the year brought light and blessings to the Kate Buchanan Room and the Humboldt State community.
Diwali Prakash, or more commonly known as the Festival of Lights transformed the KBR with traditional food and dance. The smell of food prepared by the Indian family owned restaurant Tandoori Bites filled the room as students and community members took on the experience of the festival.
The story behind Diwali and the manner of celebration vary from region to region but one particular theme remains, the festival is celebrated to remember that light triumphs over dark and good triumphs over evil.
Diwali was last celebrated at Humboldt State in 2014 and made it’s return to campus this year with the help and collaboration of the Asian Desi Pacific Islander Collective, the MultiCultural Center, and HSU faculty.
Assistant Professor of Child Development Meenal Rana said it is important to celebrate Diwali at HSU in order to bring visibility to a part of the community that is otherwise invisible in the Arcata McKinleyville and Eureka areas.
“There are community members, and it is important for HSU students, faculty, and staff to have a moment of interaction,” Rana said.