Racquelle Heffernan
ANTELOPE VALLEY, CA: It was a Diwali party to remember! ICAAV, the India Cultural Association of Antelope Valley, celebrated Diwali with a great bash inside the aparna of the Antelope Valley Temple! The president of the organization this year, Raj Nagia, said the occasion was filled with festivities ranging from cultural programs, lamp lighting, and Bollywood item numbers to bring the crowd onto the dance floor.
ICAAV is a membership-based organization that started three decades ago and has always put galas together for major holidays like Baisakhi and Diwali.This year the committee decided to keep the Diwali celebration open to the public, free of charge! A nice gesture to bring the community even closer together since the pandemic prevented them from celebrating the last two years. The festival also invited not only people of the Hindu faith and the Indian community, but also welcomed those who were just wanting to discover the culture and experience the delight of receiving the positive energy of light which the festival brings every year.
The evening started around 6pm with a meet and greet of its members, new faces and sponsors of the event, followed by prayers led by the children and a welcome speech. Councilman, Raj Malhi, of Lancaster, who hails from Punjab and has been a resident of Antelope Valley,was in attendance, speaking words of encouragement andwishing everyone a Happy Diwali at the center!
A cultural program was also presented at the community hall with a special dance troupe performance byLavina Punjabi and her dancers. Dressed in maroon lehengas, they brought the moves, dancing to songs from classical and new Bollywood hits! As the end of the night drew near, Lavina and her crew inspired everyone to get on the floor and
“get down with the music!” Guests also got a chance to enjoy lovely food and sweets that were catered by Ashoka the Great from Artesia.
Wanting to emphasize what the festival of lights really means to Antelope Valley and theirorganization, the ICAAV President, Mr. Nagiasaid that Diwali brings an overwhelming positivity and light into the hearts of the community. “We wishnothing but success, health, and happiness to everyone,” said Nagia. “The holiday is a reminder of how good always prevails and conquers over evil. That’s why we light diyas!It’s a reminder of how after the victory of Prince Rama defeating Ravana, he must find his way back home with his wife, Princess Sita. And he isonly able to do so when the city lights the streets up for him to safely return,” he said.
It is the ICAAV’s hope that the shining lights of Diwali not only commemorate Rama Rajya, but also symbolize to all of us the power of bringing light into our world, into our homes, and hearts to overcome the darkness and challenges, that people experience in life, always searching for the good in everything.
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