The India Club at South Dakota Mines celebrated the 32nd Annual Diwali Night in November, featuring cultural entertainment,
food and a fireworks show.
The India Club at South Dakota Mines hosted the 32nd annual celebration of Diwali Night, featuring cultural
entertainment, food and fireworks show, on Saturday, Nov. 20. The
popular annual event draws a large crowd and is always free and open to the public. A photo album from the 2021 celebration can be found here.
Diwali is one of the largest festivals in India,
celebrating the “victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance”
across the subcontinent. Traditionally, the festival is marked with elaborate
fairs, food preparations, prayers and gift-giving. The night is lit up with
fireworks and houses are decked out with lamps and rangolis, welcoming wealth
and prosperity into the household.
Mines’ India Club begins Diwali celebrations with a
traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, followed by cultural performances. Fireworks
display across from Surbeck begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by an authentic
Indian dinner. The food is prepared by Indian students enrolled at Mines, aided
by the Indian diaspora of Rapid City. Henna hand-painting stations and photo
booths will also be available.
Festival organizers are always looking to engage
local businesses in sponsoring Diwali Night, as well as supporting other
student-led events and community service projects. Mines extends thanks to these
business and organizations for their support this year, Coca-Cola, Masala Mart,
The Rushmore Inn, Pioneer Bank and Trust, Everest Cuisine, Kathmandu Bistro,
Dream Design International, Firehouse Brewing Co., Super 8, the Ivanhoe
International Center and International Students, Inc. for their invaluable help
in putting together this event. The India Club appreciates any and all support
from the public; those who wish to donate can click here.