Monrovia – The Embassy of India in Liberia hosted a grand and colourful celebration of Diwali, the Competition of Lights, on Saturday on the residence of His Excellency Manoj Bihari Verma, Ambassador of India to Liberia. The occasion introduced collectively members of the Indian group, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, ambassadors, representatives of the diplomatic and worldwide group, and Liberian mates of India for a night wealthy in tradition, custom, and festivity.
By Endurance M. Jones
In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador Verma prolonged heat Diwali and Dhanteras greetings to all attendees, underscoring the deep religious and cultural significance of the competition. “Diwali is certainly one of India’s most cherished celebrations, symbolizing the victory of sunshine over darkness, data over ignorance, and good over evil,” he stated.
The Ambassador elaborated on the multi-day nature of Diwali, noting that Dhanteras, which coincided with the occasion, is taken into account auspicious for buying gold, silver, and new utensils symbols of prosperity and contemporary beginnings. He added that the celebrations proceed with Chhoti Diwali and culminate on the principle Diwali day, which this 12 months falls on Monday, October 20.
Ambassador Verma additionally highlighted Deepotsava, the grand Diwali celebration held yearly in Ayodhya, India, which has earned a Guinness World Document for lighting thousands and thousands of earthen lamps concurrently. “This magnificent competition commemorates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile,” he defined.
The night featured an attractive lineup of cultural performances organized by the Indian group. This system opened with a theatrical depiction of scenes from the Ramayana, adopted by soulful Indian songs and a vigorous Garba dance a conventional people dance from Gujarat, not too long ago inscribed on UNESCO’s Consultant Checklist of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2023.
One of many night’s most memorable moments was a charming fusion dance carried out by a Liberian boy and an Indian woman to classical Indian music, symbolizing the rising bond of friendship and cultural alternate between India and Liberia.
Ambassador Verma counseled the performers and individuals, emphasizing the function of cultural diplomacy in fostering stronger worldwide ties. “Occasions like this Deepotsava not solely have a good time our heritage but additionally strengthen the bridges of friendship and understanding between our nations and communities,” he remarked. “As we gentle the diyas tonight, allow us to pledge to light up our shared path ahead with cooperation, compassion, and goodwill.”
The celebration concluded with a lavish unfold of conventional Indian delicacies, as visitors mingled and shared within the spirit of unity and pleasure. The night’s heat and festive environment mirrored the enduring friendship and rising people-to-people ties between India and Liberia marking yet one more profitable celebration of India’s wealthy cultural heritage on Liberian soil.
