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    NORTH AMERICAN NEWSLINE                                             OCTOBER 24, 2025  |      The Indian Eye 22

                Victory Vibes at City Hall - Lights, Laughter,

                 and Lions Light Up Chicago’s Diwali Dream

                     Lights of Unity: Chicago’s Diwali Illuminates Hearts Amid Global Shadows

            OUR BUREAU                        the gathering. Entry was secured with   the  light  within  you,  and  the  flower   sul General Mr. K.D. Thokchom con-
                                              two IDs, reflecting the cautious opti-  represents your heart — pure and   veyed greetings and appreciation to
            Chicago, IL
                                              mism of our times. Yet once inside the   ready to spread love,” Anu shared, as   FIA and the State of Illinois:
               n the heart of Chicago’s bustling   hall’s embrace, barriers dissolved into   diyas  flickered  and  petals  glowed  in   “Namaste and good afternoon.
               Loop, where skyscrapers pierce   smiles. “Join us to light up Chicago to-  reverence. Together, the crowd recit-  Wishing everyone a very Happy Diwali.”
            Ithe autumn sky like modern-day   gether with Unity, Joy & Tradition!”   ed the Sanskrit shloka: May Almighty   Sunil Shah, Chairman of  FIA
            minarets, a symphony of light unfold-  the invitations had read — and they   take us from darkness to light, negativity   Chicago, then delivered a heartfelt
            ed on Wednesday, October 8, 2025,   truly delivered.                to positivity? May all be happy? May all   message, warmly welcoming everyone
            at City Hall, an iconic public build-  As the afternoon sun dipped to-  be peaceful? May all celebrate life every   to this grand celebration of Diwali. He
            ing transformed with colorful Diwali   ward the horizon, Cook County Trea-  day? May there be peace — within and   reflected  on  the  deeper  meaning  of
            décor. It was no ordinary afternoon;   surer Maria Pappas, radiant as ever,   all around.”            the festival, saying,
            it was Diwali the Festival of Lights —   opened the ceremony with heartfelt   Tears glistened, smiles spread,   “Diwali reminds us that when we
            brought to life by the Federation of In-  words: “Diwali greetings to all of you.”   and applause thundered — the energy   come together with light in our hearts
            dian Associations (FIA) Chicago and   Her message of light and gratitude set   of shared humanity filling the hall.  and purpose in our actions, no dark-
            the INDO-US Lions Club, in heartfelt   the tone for the evening — a reminder   A special guest, the Consul Gen-  ness can prevail. It is a celebration of
            collaboration with Cook County Trea-  that, in a world troubled by conflicts   eral  of  Ukraine in Chicago,  arrived   hope, goodness, and new beginnings.”
            surer Maria Pappas .              and chaos, light still finds its way. “Let   with his assistant, greeted with deep   Brij Sharma, Chairman of UPA,
                As the clock struck 3:30 PM under   this light of Diwali shine — today and   appreciation. “Thank you for having   also joined the celebration, express-
            soft October skies, hundreds gathered   always.”                    me here. Let the good win over the   ing his joy in being part of an event
            — not just to celebrate an ancient tra-  Mariyana Spyropoulos, clerk of   tough times,” he shared — a simple,   that unites communities through the
            dition, but to kindle a flame of hope in   Circuit Court of Cook County & Mi-  heartfelt reflection from a nation still   timeless message of Diwali — light
            a world shadowed by uncertainty.  chael Puccinelli, Press Secretary also   at war, turning the festival into an act   over darkness, and togetherness over
                The air carried the gentle fra-  joined the celebration.        of global solidarity.             division.
            grance of marigolds and incense, min-  Then came a moment of spiritual   Representing India, Deputy Con-  -- Asian Media USA
            gling with the crisp Lake Michigan   resonance.  Anu  Malhotra,  President
            breeze. A family in shimmering saris   of FIA Chicago, took the stage, her
            and elegant kurtas stood alongside   calm and inspiring presence radiating
            city  officials  in  tailored  suits  —  fac-  serenity.
            es  glowing  with  anticipation.  Adults   “Diwali is a festival of lights, but
            and children clutched tiny diyas, clay   more than that, it brings communities,
            lamps  symbolizing  faith  and  unity.   hearts, and people together with grat-
            This was more than an event — it was   itude and joy,” she said. Explaining
            a  beacon  of  togetherness,  a  defiant   the ancient roots of the celebration
            glow reminding all that light triumphs   —  Lord  Rama’s  homecoming  after
            over darkness, and unity over division.  14 years of exile — she reminded the
                The celebration began with ex-  gathering that goodness always tri-
            citement as organizers The City Trea-  umphs over evil.
            surer Maria Pappas along with Sunil   Guiding the crowd through a brief
            Shah, Hina Trivedi, Anu Malhotra,   prayer and chanting “Om” thrice, the
            and Ajeet Singh — pillars of Chicago’s   hall filled with peaceful vibrations.
            vibrant Indian diaspora — welcomed    “The light in your hand represents

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