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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline                                            NOVEMBER 17, 2023  |      The Indian Eye 14


                 City of Aurora and The IACOAB Board




         members Host 9th Annual Diwali celebration





        OUR BUREAU
        Aurora, IL
               iwali, the esteemed “Festival
               of Lights” is a time honored
        Din celebration of hope, light,
        and unity for millions of people of
        Indian origin around the world. In
        recent years, the City of Aurora in Il-
        linois has become home to a remark-
        able Diwali celebration drawing a few
        thousand visitors, thanks to the Indi-
        an American Community Outreach
        Advisory Board (IACOAB).
            This annual event, which was
        organized at Waubonsie Valley High
        School, Aurora, IL on October 28,
        2023, has grown in significance, tran-
        scending cultural boundaries and
        uniting the community in a radiant
        display of togetherness. Supported
        wholeheartedly by Mayor Richard
        Irvin  office  of  the  City  of  Aurora   Lighting lamp ceremony by Indian American Community Outreach Advisory Board Members Indian American Community Outreach Advisory Board
        and local volunteers, this event has
        reached new heights. The IACOAB
        Board members commenced the fes-
        tivities with a traditional lamp-light-
        ing ceremony, a symbol of hope and
        new  beginnings.  Sunil  Patel,  the
        Chairman of the Board, could not
        conceal his excitement at the remark-
        able turnout. He credited the event’s
        success to the unwavering support of
        his board members, volunteers, and
        the  Mayor  office  and  expressed  his
        gratitude to Alderwoman Sweta Baid
        for helping the team with the amaz-
        ing display of Rangoli, a traditional
        Indian art form made with sand.
            Mayor Richard Irvin has consis-
        tently been a great supporter of the
        board and brought an electrifying
        energy to the crowd with his inspir-
        ing speech. The mayor officially pro-
        claimed Diwali, a festival of lights,
        as a day of tolerance, compassion,   Mayor Richard Irvin officially proclaimed Diwali, a festival of lights, as a day of tolerance, compassion, and the triumph of good over evil
        and the triumph of good over evil.
        This proclamation resonates with the   food that was served.        community efforts to preserve their   without their presence. She also ex-
        American and Aurora Spirit, which     The City of Aurora Diwali cele-  traditions and culture.        tended an invitation to sponsors and
        also celebrates these values.     bration is a community event that has   “This year, we saw great involve-  merchants to join  the event  again
            The highlight of the event was   brought together local participants to   ment from different vendors who of-  next year. As the radiant lights of Di-
        the  outstanding  cultural  program,   learn about the services provided by   fered unique merchandise not readi-  wali continue to shine brightly in Au-
        which brought together Indian danc-  small businesses and local non-prof-  ly available in local shops, along with   rora, they remind us of the enduring
        ers and performers for a night of   it organizations. The participation   a wide array of delectable food op-  power of community and the timeless
        sensational entertainment. While the   of  non-profit  organizations  such  as   tions” Board members Nitin Fuldore   significance of this beautiful festival.
        majority of the audience was of In-  Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USAh,   and Ghosia Wajid.                The future of the Diwali celebration
        dian descent, the event warmly wel-  ISKON, Indian Nurses Education     Vice Chair Nadia Kanhai ex-   in Aurora looks even brighter, cast-
        comed people from all backgrounds   and Welfare Fund and Adhyatmik   pressed her sincere gratitude to the   ing a warm and welcoming glow over
        who appreciated the vibrant Bolly-  Vishwavidyalaya has helped to raise   local participants, stating that the   all who attend.
        wood dances and delicious Indian   awareness of Indian culture and the   event would not have been a success   --Asian Media USA


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