The College of New Caledonia community is set to light up the Indo-Canadian community.
CNC is hosting a public celebration of Diwali, a traditional festival of lights considered one of the most special marks on the calendar for those attached to India, on Friday, Nov. 1.
"Diwali is celebrated in India and all over the world on the 10th lunar day of the year, around October and November, signaling the victory of good over evil," said CNC spokeswoman Andrea Johnson. "There are 70 students from India currently studying at CNC," plus more who are Canadian but have Indian heritage, or who have personal ties to Indian culture.
One of those newcomers in Prince George is Amandeep Gill, a first-year nursing student visiting from the province of Punjab. She is also one of the volunteer organizers of the Diwali event at CNC.
"I'm not homesick, but sometimes we all miss our families because Diwali is the festival we celebrate with our family and relatives," she said. "We go to temple together and we exchange gifts with each other and set off fireworks at night. That's why we're celebrating Diwali at CNC."
Gill and other Indian students are selling tickets to the public between noon and 2 p.m. daily in CNC's Gathering Place and also at the International Education office in Room 1-785.
Activities will include a traditional Indian buffet dinner, dance performances, then a dance in the Technical Education Centre's student lounge.
"Diwali signifies the removal of darkness and ignorance and bringing the light and knowledge within every human being," said Gill. "It's important for not only Indian but also non-Indian students and the Prince George community to join us to increase their cultural awareness. There are many Indian families in Prince George so it's important to know their culture and be part of their happiness."
Tickets cost: $25/adult for both the dinner and dance; $15/student (for both dinner and dance). Dinner tickets are also sold separately -- $12/students and $18/adults. Dance tickets sold separately are $5/students or $10/adults.
