As the student population continues to grow at Lake Forest College, so does the cultural diversity. There are many opportunities to celebrate the different cultural festivals here on campus. Clubs, organizations, and academic departments many times host these events. Diwali remains one of the most-celebrated festivals throughout the world, but particularly in the Indian Subcontinent.
In the Hindu culture, this celebration is known as the Festival of Lights. Diwali is also celebrated in the Sikh and Jain religions. There are different interpretations in the Hindu culture for why the holiday is celebrated, but they all have the common theme of celebrating the victory of good over evil. Traditionally, the candles known as diyas are lit during Diwali to ward off evil. Other themes include peace, love, prosperity, and community. Diwali also marks the beginning of a new year.
To celebrate this occasion, each year, Professor of Biology Shubhik DebBurman hosts a Diwali Dinner at his house in Lake Bluff. This year, the event will be held on Saturday, October 22. The dinner is open to students of South Asian origin, Asian Studies majors and minors, United World College Mahindra alumni, and students in Associate Professor of Religion Catherine Benton’s Hinduism course.
The emailed invitation is usually sent to more than 100 students, but only the first 50 who RSVP can attend. Students are requested to dress professionally, and those of South Asian origin are encouraged to dress in traditional clothing, if possible. For transportation, shuttles are provided on behalf of the college.
I personally attended this celebration last year and will be going again this year. It was a wonderful experience. It was timed very well since it was on a Saturday when the Cafeteria on campus is usually closed and students find alternate options for dinner. I got to spend some time with friends––we even played a Hindi version of American Idol, called Antakshari.
As someone of South Asian descent, it was great getting to live up to my culture by celebrating this occasion. In the midst of midterms, it was a nice opportunity to relax and spend some time off campus. I thank Dr. DebBurman and his family for organizing this occasion, as it was very generous of them. I also strongly encourage those who are invited to attend and rejoice yourself in this auspicious and fun celebration.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the celebration of Diwali or South Asian culture, feel free to utilize the resources on campus. The Office of Intercultural Relations, Asian studies department, religion department, and International Student Organization all offer opportunities to learn about different festivals, including Diwali. Talking to fellow students on campus of the Hindu faith is another great way to also get to learn more about the festival.
