Dec 02, 2011
The Friends of India in Murfreesboro (FIAM), a not-for-profit organization of Indian-Americans in Rutherford county of Middle Tennessee organized a Diwali Celebration on October 29, 2011 at the Clarion Inn & Suites. The function overall was a grand success, with more than 150 people of all faiths & ethnicity, Indian and non-Indian, children & adults participating wholeheartedly in this ancient celebration of the Festival of Lights.
The members of FIAM & their invited guests kicked off the celebrations with a social hour featuring delectable Indian appetizers such as Vegetable Pakoras, Chaat, Veggie &Kheema Samosas, Banana pepper fritters and Sheesh Kabob from the Clay Pit Indian Restaurant. An assortment of thirst quenching beverages to accompany the spicy appetizers were provided by Mr. Chirag Patel of Stones River Total Beverages.
A short formal program followed with a welcome address by Dr. Arundati Ramesh & a melodious recital by GeethaGowda of a devotional song of Sri. PurandharaDasa (The early16th century doyen of South Indian Classical music).
A speech by FIAM President Dr. Chandra followed in which he described the significance of Diwali/Deepavali in India and to the Indian Diaspora around the world. "It marks the end of the fall harvest, a beginning of a new business year and is marked with Five days of Food, Festivity, Fireworks, Friends, Family& Faith. Much like Christmas & Rosh Hashanah in the West & Near East and Ramadan in the Middle East with equal parts of Hanukkah's Festival of Lights and Fourth of July sparklers thrown in, it is not only a time for Celebration & Conspicuous Consumption, but also of Reflection & Charity. In India & elsewhere, it is an important festival for the a billion Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs. For Hindus-it marks the Victory of Lord Rama over the evil Ravana, and that of Lord Krishna over the evil demon, Narakasura. For Buddhists, it is the day the Mighty Emperor Ashoka, in 262 BC after a battle field tour following a violent campaign against a mineral rich neighbouring kingdom of Kalinga, later renounced all warfare & embraced Ahimsa or Non-violence." Dr. Chandra also mentioned how India, through its ancient philosophy and spiritual quests had provided inspiration to many notable Americans. "India has been a spiritual destination for ages to many including Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., The Beatles-especially George Harrison and Steve Jobs who spent 7 months there in 1974. Jobs said this of the lasting influence of his trip to India in the 1970s"Coming back to America was, for me, much more of a cultural shock than going to India. The people in the Indian countryside don't use their intellect like we do, they use their intuition instead, and their intuition is far more developed than in the rest of the world. Intuition is a very powerful thing, more powerful than intellect, in my opinion. That's had a big impact on my work." More importantly, "India, being an ancient civilization, a relatively new Democracy & a friend of the United States, is based on the pluralistic acceptance embodied by the Vedic saying “Ekam Sat, ViprahBahudhaVadanti” which means “While the Supreme Truth is One, the Enlightened may describe it many different ways”. Here at home, Diwali shares a special connection with American values exemplified by “E Pluribus Unum” or “Out of many, ONE”.
Dr. Ramprasad recited a poem he had composed for Diwali this year-"
May the bright lights of Diwali
Shine everyday in your future
Showing many different ways
To cherish peace and happiness
Along with prosperity and grace
May the sentiments of the occasion
Fill your heart with ever lasting elation
Making every moment in life a celebration
In armor of the blessings of the divine
Leading you into future with jubilation
HAPPY DIWALI
A scrumptious Indian Dinner consisting of vegetarian & non-vegetarian food including Dal Makhani, MalaiKofta, Goat masala, Tandoori Chicken, Lamb Biryani, GulabJamun&Rasamalai followed. DJ Balvinder Singh (DJ Bally) of Atlanta, GA enlivened the evening with some excellent Bollywood & Hollywood music as most of the guests gathered on the dance floor to finish the festive celebration with a flourish. A good time was enjoyed by one & all in the true spirit of Diwali-with connections made over food &facetime with our friends, neighbours& colleagues here in the Murfreesboro community.
