In keeping with Rotary’s 2017/2018 theme of “Making a difference”, the Rotary Club of Princes Town partnered with the Jones Street Community to celebrate Divali on Saturday October 14th, 2017. It was indeed a perfect night for lighting deyas, with the blanket of stars above and the warm and welcoming atmosphere in Jones Street, Garth Road, Williamsville.
The evening was dedicated to a late member of the community, Lawrence Gayadeen who was an active member of the Village Council, with his wife collecting a beautiful token on his behalf.
The celebration started from 4:00 pm with the Puja officiated by Pundit Rohidass, followed by the lightening of deyas at 6:00pm. It was a compact programme that captured the crowd’s attention. The program was conducted by the youth group where attendees were treated to Bhajans, Invocational Dances, Poems, Tassa, Modelling of beautiful Indian wear, Pick a Pan game, a three-act skit and crowning of Junior and Senior Raja and Rani.
President Bashir Mohammed spoke on the significance of Divali and wished the community Shubh Divali after which Councillor Ms. Vashti Sookhoo thanked the Rotary Club of Princes Town for assisting in the funding of the Divali celebration and distribution of twenty hampers to needy families in the community. Rotarian Capildeo also sang one of his favourite Bhajans whilst Rotarian Rhea selected the Junior and Senior Raja and Rani from the crowd.
Guests enjoyed a tasty dinner of paratha roti, curry channa, pumpkin, bodi, curry mango and traditional sweets such as kurma and barfi.
The evening was well attended by the community who left at the end of the program very contented that the values and traditions of the community would be continued in the good hands of the younger generation.