Mary Rucinski
“Diwali is the name that is derived from Sanskrit, which is our oldest language in India,” said Vice President of MILAAP, Ragha Mohan.
The 28 states of India each celebrate Diwali differently. However, throughout nearly all of India, there will be lights, beautiful colors and fireworks to celebrate the festival of lights, Mohan explained.
In addition to different ways of celebrating, Mohan said, “So many states in India celebrate it for different reasons.”
Though these reasons vary, Mohan emphasized the importance of a specific story of a Hindu god called Lord Rama. Mohan said Lord Rama was banished from the kingdom of Ayodhyafor 14 years.
During the time of Lord Rama’s banishment, he lived in the forest with his wife. Upon their return to the kingdom, the villagers helped them find their way in the night by using lights. Mohan explained those lights gave a path for Lord Rama and his wife to return. That is where the idea of the festival of lights comes from. More generally, Diwali is widely considered a celebration of Lord Rama’s return to the kingdom.
Diwali has been celebrated in India for about 1,000 years but has been celebrated on the University of Wyoming campus for 15 to 16 years, ever since MAAP became a recognized student organization (RSO) on the university campus.
Diwali night at UW consisted of a cultural performance with music, anthems, dancing and poetry. Following the cultural performance, the Union ballroom was filled with hungry guests ready to feast on Indian food.
“The food is always amazing,” a Junior from Malaysia, Aina Farid, said. “My favorite part is being able to eat food that reminds me of home that I miss so much.”
“Diwali was an incredible experience. I had the privilege of living in India while working for a nonprofit. To see the bright colors, smell the spices, and dance to loud music again made me feel as though I was back for a moment,” Senior Rebekah Hutchison said following the event. “Diwali was more than an event for me, it was nostalgic, comfortable, and felt like a trip to my once Eastern home.”
“Diwali for the University of Wyoming community is celebrated because we want everyone to come together as one,” Rohan said. She said MILAAP’s goal with Diwali night is not to focus on any specific religion, but for people of all religions to celebrate together.
“The point of MILAAP is to get people together,” Rohan said. She has been a part of the RSO for three years.
Rohan said there is a huge Indian community on campus that includes faculty, families and students. “These are also the people who we count as MILAAP members, so whoever comes here as an Indian are MILAAP members no matter what,” she said.
Rohan’s words of togetherness and celebration of all people echoed true when faculty, families and students showed up Saturday evening to celebrate Diwali. Diwali night was celebrated in the Union ballroom last Saturday evening. The annual event is hosted by MILAAP, the Indian Students Organization on campus. Beginning with a cultural performance and ending with Indian food and music, the event was truly a cultural experience.
