By Andra Bryan Stefanoni
news@joplinglobe.com
PITTSBURG, Kan. — When Pittsburg State University student Nakul Padalkar was growing up in Pune, India, he and his family were among millions who eagerly looked forward to the annual Diwali, or Festival of Lights.
This year was no different for Padalkar, except for the place he celebrated it: at Parrot Bey in Pittsburg.
His fellow Indian students agree that Diwali, a symbolic triumph of light and knowledge over ignorance and darkness, is among the most important and widely celebrated holidays throughout the many cultures of South Asia.
“It is a festival that to us is the same as Christmas to you,” Padalkar said. “It is very joyful, very happy. We look forward to it for a long time leading up to it.”
A colorful extravaganza of lights, food, music and dancing, Diwali is celebrated in Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism. While the story behind the holiday varies from region to region, the essence is the same: to rejoice in the inner light or the underlying reality of all things.
Sunday’s version of Diwali was put together by PSU’s International Student Association, which totals about 60 members who worked for days to prepare for it.
According to the association, Diwali has grown each year and has become one of the largest international events presented through PSU.
About 300 guests were in attendance — each greeted by candlelight by association members Jay Shah and Deepika Jhamb, who applied a dot of tilak to the guests’ foreheads. The red dye mixed from a powder is offered at such festivals as a sign of welcome.
The festival featured traditional and Bollywood dancing by Indian students, fashion shows demonstrating Indian attire from different parts of the country, a multimedia show, awards for this year’s winning Indian student cricket team, and a fireworks display.
A catered Indian meal, by Indian Palace of Lawrence, gave guests a taste of the spices that make the country unique.
“We have basmati rice, chicken tikka masala, vegetable korma, dal makhani,” Shah said. “They are dishes that are representative of traditional Indian favorites.”
Shruthi Panchal, an officer with the International Student Association, said that while India is the second most populated country in the world and has many languages and dialects, “Our traditions and customs make us one.”
During a multimedia presentation, she shared some of the defining characteristics of India, including its gods and deities, its languages, its spices and it national symbols — all in sharp contrast to those in Southeast Kansas.
But non-Indians who attended didn’t mind that contrast. Several said that’s part of the reason they showed up.
“It’s exciting,” said Camille Olcese, whose husband, Chuck, is director of the International Affairs Office at PSU and is preparing to leave on a trip to India.
“I thoroughly enjoy the food, the dancing, the music — it’s so very colorful,” she said. “I especially love the clothes. In fact, I might e-mail Chuck and tell him to get me a sari while he’s over there.”
Local News
Diwali celebration in Pittsburg shares Indian culture with community
- Local News
-
-
City wants to buy weather radios for those without
Phil Jones had been working on a construction project outside his house all day on May 22 and was unaware that a tornado watch had been issued. Once he was inside, though, his weather radio went off, and he learned that a warning had been issued.
-
Architects present preliminary JHS plans at community meeting
Reaction appeared mostly supportive Thursday night among the roughly 50 people who attended a community meeting at which architects presented their preliminary site plans for the future combined Joplin High School and Franklin Technology Center.
-
Confessed shooter testifies against co-defendants in Pittsburg murder case
Rickey Smith testified Thursday that as he came in the back door of Ryan Bailey’s home in Pittsburg with a 9 mm pistol in his hand, Bailey looked up from the couch in his living room.
-
School district’s proposed street-closing plan questioned
Plans to close some streets near the proposed Joplin High School drew questions, including a challenge from a former Joplin mayor, during a public hearing this week.
-
Neosho council approves new golf cart contract
The purchase of golf carts was back on the agenda this week for the Neosho City Council. City Attorney Steve Hays said there were errors in the financing terms that were part of a bid approved last month for the purchase of 55 gas-powered carts from E-Z-Go for $144,195, so the purchase of a new fleet was rebid.
-
Mike Pound: Spirit of competition evident during double-overtime game
When I played basketball in high school, I played in several very close games.
Now, some people who may have known me in high school are probably laughing right now and saying, “What Mike meant to say is that when he was in high school, he came very close to playing in some games.” -
Mo. optometrist filed $40 million refund claim
A southwest Missouri optometrist who filed a tax return claiming a $40 million refund has been sentenced to four years and three months in federal prison.
-
Okla. receives waiver from No Child Left Behind
Oklahoma’s top education official reacted with glee Thursday with the announcement that the state is one of 10 states being granted a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind law that requires students be proficient in reading and math by 2014 — but focused on getting students to “just pass the tests.”
-
Kan. House approves bipartisan redistricting bill
Power in the Kansas House is likely to shift next year from rural parts of the state to the Kansas City area after members overwhelmingly approved a bipartisan bill Thursday for redrawing their districts.
-
Fugitive in 1993 British heist arrested in Ozark
A man suspected of stealing about $1.5 million from a security van in England in 1993 has been arrested in southwest Missouri.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
