2009 Indian Diwali Party

At 6:30pm, Oct 22, 2009, in the atrium of business building, MBA students, staff and faculty lined up for the Indian food. Later on, Indian students, Americans, and other internationals, were dancing and singing in traditional Indian way.

A passerby asked me, “What is happening here?”

I replied, “Diwali party, which is organized and performed by current MBA students and staff.”

So, what is Diwali?

It’s an official holiday in India, a significant 5-day festival occurring between the end of September and early November. Diwali is also known as the Festival of Lights, when the adherents of Diwali-celebrating faiths light small clay lamps filled with oil to signify good over evil within an individual.

In a program that values diversity, international students represent about thirty percent of entire class, which not only provides different perspectives in the class discussion, but also brings lots of fun and dynamics to the packed MBA student life. The Indian Diwali party is a vivid demonstration of it.

This year’s Diwali party was a tremendous success. The food was delicious, and was suitable for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian preferences. The dancing and singing was awesome, and truly gave audience a real taste of Indian culture.

Laughing and applauding; camera flashing; video recording.

This moment is about fun.

This moment is about happiness.

This moment is about diversity.

This moment is about diversion, from busy MBA life.

This moment is about sharing.

- Zhang, Xiaoyu (Eric)
MBA Class of 2010