Diwali lights up the globe with positivity and goodness
Times of Bennett | Updated: Oct 31, 2025 13:54
Correspondent: Shubhangi Sarkar
The Hindu festival of lights- also known asDiwali is an event that nationally, and now internationally serves as a reminder to humanity about how good always triumphs over evil. And about how justice always prevails
over tyranny.
Diwali is festival deeply rooted inIndia ’s cultural and religious history with links to various mythological and religious events. And with globalisation, has also spread its roots of positivity, hope and optimism beyond the borders of India. Allowing people of other nationalities and cultures to also experience the euphoria that Indians have typically felt through Diwali celebrations.
This year, alongside other countries, 4 major cities around the world celebrated Diwali with glory that even rivals that of India’s.
1) New York City, United States of America.
The NYC Legislature declared Diwali as an official school holiday on October 29, 2023. Which is in lieu with the
rising global focus on the need for cultural inclusivity, making Diwali quite the big deal in the New York City. Major large-scale public events were hosted such as "Diwali on the Hudson" that took place October 16th. Including food, dance, live music and even fundraising at the hotspot of Midtown Manhattan. And a grand event that is yet to be held on the 9th of November is ‘Diwali at Times Square’, which is in official collaboration with multiple notable Indian brands, artists and the Consulate General of India in
New York, and of course, the New York City legislation itself.
2)Singapore , Republic of Singapore .
The annual Diwali celebration hosted in Singapore by the Little India Shop Owners and Heritage Association (LISHA), within the Little India arcade itself hosted a 6-day long event under the delegation of the Singapore Tourism Board. It consisted of intricate displays of decorations, clothing, snacks, handicrafts, lights and cultural performances that left the diverse Singaporean and tourist audience absolutely mesmerised. LISHA
also hosted interactive Rangoli/Kolam workshops that visitors could participate in, while additionally collaborating with theSingapore Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (SMRT) to display Diwali light up designs and decorations on public trains and buses.
3)Toronto , Canada.
Downtown Toronto’s Nathan Philips Square witnessed one of Canada’s largest Diwali celebrations on October 11th and 12th, known as ‘Diwali Festival of Lights’. And Diwali’s spirit this year in Toronto grew even brighter this year, thanks to the Mayor of Toronto, Olivia Chow who declared October 20th as Diwali Day, as an effort to
“recognize and celebrate the historic and ongoing contributions of the South Asian community that form an important part of the City of Toronto’s motto: ‘Diversity our Strength’”. Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney also attended the Trillium Diwali Gala hosted in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), which also served as a fundraiser. He shared how he relates Diwali’s notion of ‘good over evil’ with his efforts to reduce crime within the country.
4) Yokohama,Japan
As one of the largest India-related festivals that is held in Japan, “Diwali in Yokohama” is an annual festival held at the Yokohama Port Opening Memorial Hall, in honour of the Indian merchants who first established their business base in Japan. With Bollywood-style live dance performances, shopping booths promoting Indian goods and handicrafts, and a mesmerising display of lights and decorations- Diwali in Yokohama is an event cherished, and enjoyed by both Japanese nationals, Indian expatriates and other tourists visiting Japan. It is an event organised under the Ambassador of India to Japan, The Yokohama Legislation and the Indian
Commerce and Industry Association in Japan (ICIJ).
Many more cities and countries have adopted Diwali as not just a foreign festival, but as a celebration of positivity, strength and the belief of the good’s victory over evil. Such asMalaysia , Berlin , Durban etc. It hence becomes clear that no matter the nationality or cultural background- Diwali’s notions of ‘Lighting up the darkness’ and ‘Victory of good over evil’ is transcending borders and spreading its rays to light up other parts of the world too.
The author is a second year BA Mass Communication student. She is extremely passionate about international relations, linguistics, cultures and anime. And she likes to indulge in digital art in her free time.
The Hindu festival of lights- also known as
over tyranny.
Diwali is festival deeply rooted in
This year, alongside other countries, 4 major cities around the world celebrated Diwali with glory that even rivals that of India’s.
1) New York City, United States of America.
The NYC Legislature declared Diwali as an official school holiday on October 29, 2023. Which is in lieu with the
rising global focus on the need for cultural inclusivity, making Diwali quite the big deal in the New York City. Major large-scale public events were hosted such as "Diwali on the Hudson" that took place October 16th. Including food, dance, live music and even fundraising at the hotspot of Midtown Manhattan. And a grand event that is yet to be held on the 9th of November is ‘Diwali at Times Square’, which is in official collaboration with multiple notable Indian brands, artists and the Consulate General of India in
New York, and of course, the New York City legislation itself.
2)
The annual Diwali celebration hosted in Singapore by the Little India Shop Owners and Heritage Association (LISHA), within the Little India arcade itself hosted a 6-day long event under the delegation of the Singapore Tourism Board. It consisted of intricate displays of decorations, clothing, snacks, handicrafts, lights and cultural performances that left the diverse Singaporean and tourist audience absolutely mesmerised. LISHA
also hosted interactive Rangoli/Kolam workshops that visitors could participate in, while additionally collaborating with the
3)
Downtown Toronto’s Nathan Philips Square witnessed one of Canada’s largest Diwali celebrations on October 11th and 12th, known as ‘Diwali Festival of Lights’. And Diwali’s spirit this year in Toronto grew even brighter this year, thanks to the Mayor of Toronto, Olivia Chow who declared October 20th as Diwali Day, as an effort to
“recognize and celebrate the historic and ongoing contributions of the South Asian community that form an important part of the City of Toronto’s motto: ‘Diversity our Strength’”. Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney also attended the Trillium Diwali Gala hosted in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), which also served as a fundraiser. He shared how he relates Diwali’s notion of ‘good over evil’ with his efforts to reduce crime within the country.
4) Yokohama,
As one of the largest India-related festivals that is held in Japan, “Diwali in Yokohama” is an annual festival held at the Yokohama Port Opening Memorial Hall, in honour of the Indian merchants who first established their business base in Japan. With Bollywood-style live dance performances, shopping booths promoting Indian goods and handicrafts, and a mesmerising display of lights and decorations- Diwali in Yokohama is an event cherished, and enjoyed by both Japanese nationals, Indian expatriates and other tourists visiting Japan. It is an event organised under the Ambassador of India to Japan, The Yokohama Legislation and the Indian
Commerce and Industry Association in Japan (ICIJ).
Many more cities and countries have adopted Diwali as not just a foreign festival, but as a celebration of positivity, strength and the belief of the good’s victory over evil. Such as
The author is a second year BA Mass Communication student. She is extremely passionate about international relations, linguistics, cultures and anime. And she likes to indulge in digital art in her free time.
