India Club’s Diwali 2016 a great way to celebrate the festival
By Manju Mittal
India Club held a successful Diwali celebration at the Castle Grand, Castle Hill on Saturday November 5, 2016. Diwali is one of the most celebrated festivals amongst Indians. Diwali means ”˜Row of Lights’ and lighting fireworks in a way to express our joy. The purpose of illuminating homes, lighting candles, lamps is to ”˜Glorify the divine light of God’.
IC’s Diwali event was attended by a large number of people. It attracted people of different communities and ethnicity who participated quite excited by the night that unfolded entertainment and food extravaganza thoroughly enjoyed by one and all. Among the guests present were the Hon. Julian Lesser MP and MLC David Clark, media and community.
MC of the evening Young and delightful Jaya Singhal welcomed the guests and invited President of India Club Shubha Kumar on to the stage. Mrs. Kumar welcomed the guests and enlightened the audience with some specifics about India Club. Unlike regional associations, India Club has members originating from various parts of India as well as from Australia, who assemble with pride under one roof. Many India Club members are influential leaders of our community, Shubha said.
The cultural program commenced on time at 6 30pm. Entertainment segment involved performers and art forms from every part of India including classical, traditional folk and Bollywood and African performances. The audience were on their feet too including many young children. Activities for everyone included Akanksha’s lively photo shoot of the people on arrival and later in the evening and DJ Dance Masti kept the audience on their feet.
The event started with Ganesh Puja. Dance performance by Neharika Sonali and young budding star Arnav and children’s participation on drums got a big thumping applause from the audience. A new and a very different segment of African dances showcasing raw energy and exhilarating dance movements as well as the colourful 7 flavours dance group was appreciated by the audience. Major highlight of the event was group of ladies and couples who stole the show with their dance performance on old songs ”˜Honto pe aisi baat’ and ”˜Kanto se kheench ke ye anchal’, which was choreographed by well known dancer Mona Grover, another enjoyable dance performance was on most popular Punjabi song ”˜Tenu Kala Chashma Jachda Hai’ by Puneet Grover and Mona Grover.
Aparajita’s innovative idea of electronic voting of the awards contest involving the enthusiastic audience and the judges both as well as for presenting segment and the ”˜Indian Club Star 2016’ segment with charm and professionalism. India Club star 2016 award winners were: Nalika Padmasena for her community work, Best Dressed Female award Reena Jethi, Best Dressed Male award Sudesh Gupta, Best hair style Madhu Misra and Best Table No 8 of Kukreja’s and Oberoi’s. President of India Club Shubha Kumar and Aksheya Kumar congratulated all the proud winners of the night.
The event was well decorated by Decor-A-Shaan’s Nita Tanna and delicious catering was looked after by Ajay Raj of Maya da Dhaba. The event was sponsored by CMRC and Macquarie Bank. Passionate Jaya Singhal as emcee was superb as she engaged the audience quite capably.
Diwali is celebrated in the same festive spirit in Australia as it is in India. India Club Diwali celebration is always a party that is eagerly looked forward to by Sydneysiders. Surely next year’s party already has many advance bookings.
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