The Christchurch Indian Social & Cultural Club will celebrate Diwali on Saturday, October 26 at the CBS Canterbury Arena in Christchurch.
Preparations are under way and the organisers expect more than 15,000 people to attend the celebrations.
Diwali 2012 was witnessed by 8000 people at the same venue.
The programme this year will include several cultural performances, including local and guest artistes from Auckland.
Celebrations will begin with a public event at 430 pm in the presence of several dignitaries including the Prime Minister, Ministers, Acting Indian High Commissioner, Christchurch Mayor, Members of Parliament and other invited guests.
Diwali 2013 in Christchurch will include an Indian Food Festival. As I wrote this report, the organisers had registered about 60 stalls, some of them also exhibiting and selling curios, handicrafts and other items.
A 15 member Organising Committee is working day and night to make the event a grand success, following the colourful events held in the previous years.
Diwali 2013 is now talk of the town, bringing together people of varied ethnicity not only in Christchurch but also in other parts of the Canterbury region.
Dr George Abraham is our Correspondent based in Christchurch.
Photo :
Christchurch Diwali in 2012
