On 12 November, students, colleagues and friends joined together for the World in Westminster Café: Diwali Celebrations. The gathering brought people together to share delicious food, celebrate the festival, build cultural awareness and generate a strong sense of belonging.
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by many Hindus, Jains and Sikhs alike. To mark the festival, Westminster brought together traditional aspects of the celebration and delved deeper into the spiritual significance of festival. The event welcomed people from all faiths or of no faith with the traditional prayer called Pooja, and a traditional menu of authentic Indian cuisine. People were able to bond over shared history and immerse themselves in spirituality while enjoying Biryani and Gulab jamun.
University of Westminster Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Officer, Rajat Shah, shared insights into why Diwali is a day of prayer and reflection. He said: “We explore the trinity of Intelligence, Love and Power, recognising the universal connection of these values across diverse faiths, beliefs and ideologies.”
The event embraced everyone, regardless of their faith or background, fostering an atmosphere of fun, unity and understanding. More than 120 people joined the festivities and were welcomed by Professor Dibyesh Anand, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Global Employability and Engagement, who opened the event and reminded everyone of the University’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
He said: “Festivals are not for one or the other community but vehicles to encourage cross-cultural awareness, celebrate diversity of our globally engaged university and generate an inclusive sense of belonging.”
Hosted by Professor Anand, in partnership with University of Westminster Students’ Union and funded through Westminster’s Quintin Hogg Trust-EDI Programme called Community and Communities: Being Westminster, this event is part of the University's Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion programme. The aim of the World in Westminster Café Celebrations series is to bring together home and international students from very different backgrounds, educate each other and create a space for belonging. It is about making Westminster feel like home.
About the event Zahrah Surooprajally, Quentin Hogg Trust-University EDI Programme Manager, said: “We hope you will join us for future World in Westminster Café celebrations and immerse yourself in a diverse and vibrant community. Let's build bridges, learn about different cultures and make the world feel a little cosier.”
Event organiser, Nandini Aggarwal, Vice President of Undergraduate Education at University of Westminster Students’ Union, added: “I am thrilled to express my utmost joy and gratitude for the overwhelming success of the Diwali celebration. Our goal was not only to provide a shared experience for those who celebrate Diwali but also to offer a glimpse of the festivities to students and colleagues unfamiliar with the celebration. Organising this event was such a joy, as it provided an opportunity for individuals to connect, share traditions and appreciate the rich tapestry of Diwali with the wider Westminster community.
“A sincere thank you to everyone involved; your participation has made this event a resounding success, and I couldn't be happier with the positive impact it has had on our community.”
Find out more about Black History Year and follow the Equality, Inclusion and Diversity team on X, formerly Twitter, for event updates and highlights.
Related articles
