USask Students Express What Diwali Means to Them.

Every October, as the days grow shorter and colder, I find myself looking east toward the warmth, light and spirit of Diwali. Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most celebrated festivals in India and among South Asian communities worldwide. It commemorates the triumph of light over darkness with its central theme of hope and renewal.

Growing up in Canada, my Diwalis have existed in two worlds. On one side, there’s the India Diwalis I remember from childhood visits, filled with fireworks cracking across the sky, homes lit up in golden rows of diyas, the streets buzzing with energy, music and sweet smells. On the other side is the Canada Diwalis, the ones I’ve grown up with that are quieter and colder, but no less bright.

My Diwalis start not with fireworks but with food. My mom and aunties take over the kitchen, aprons on over their saris, chopping nuts, roasting flour, melting ghee as they turn these simple ingredients into my favourite assortment of sweets and snacks: barfis, ladoos and chaklis. I’ve always loved being part of that, even when I was little, rolling tiny khoa balls in my palms to make gulab jamun. 

There’s something deeply grounding about those hours spent in the kitchen with the women in my family—laughing and sneaking extra bites of sweets when no one’s looking. Slowly, my family and I weaved new traditions. 

We don’t have the street parties or firecrackers of Indian Diwalis, but we’ve found ways to light up our homes and hearts. We decorate with paper lanterns, string fairy lights along windows, and dress up in our brightest and sparkliest saris and salwars. Even in the biting October chill, we find warmth in each other. Our version of Diwali isn’t loud. It glows softly, built on shared laughter and the quiet joy of gathering.

One of my favourite Diwali memories comes from the one year I actually got to be in India during the festival. I remember stepping out of the airport in Mumbai, getting blasted with the humidity of the air and feeling the energy that something in the air was different. Many of the passengers on my plane were flying home to celebrate the festival of lights with their families, too. 

The streets were alive. That year, I drew rangoli on my grandmother’s doorstep with my aunts and cousins, our fingers stained with coloured powders. I wore a salwar suit that made me feel like royalty (but also didn’t make me die of heat), and  ate my body weight in pedas and pakoras. That Diwali was electric—even though a firecracker exploded on me, setting my gorgeous outfit on fire (don’t worry, I lived to tell the tale). 

As a university student, Diwali has taken on new meaning for me. With midterms and deadlines piling up, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Diwali reminds me to pause, find light in the chaos, and keep moving forward. Now, I find myself becoming the person who hosts friends for a Diwali dinner and introduces them to gulab jamun or diyas. 

Over the years, I’ve come to love this blended version of Diwali, shaped by multiple cultures, languages, and homes. We turn our homes into spaces of belonging. We use the light from our hearts to fill our Diwalis instead of traditional diyas or the pop of fireworks.

So while I might miss the chaos and sparkle of Diwali in India from time to time, I wouldn’t trade the warmth of our kitchen, the glow of fairy lights or the sound of my aunties laughing over tea for anything. 

In a world that often feels fragmented by distance, politics and identity, Diwali is a reminder that light still matters. That joy, kindness and connection are worth holding on to. It’s a time to let go of the past year’s baggage and step into a brighter, more intentional version of ourselves. 

Happy Diwali!

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Shakthi Mahendran 

Third year Health Studies

Diwali, to me, is more than just a festival of lights. It is a time of warmth, reflection, connection and spirituality. It symbolizes new beginnings, the victory of light over darkness and the joy of coming together with family and friends. I’m always reminded of my childhood, lighting firecrackers and watching the night sky burst into colour. The glow of diyas, the delicious food and sweets and the laughter shared with family remind me to embrace hope, gratitude and togetherness. 

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Rashi Chauhan

Fourth year Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology 

For me, Diwali has always been about togetherness and joy. Growing up, the best part was spending time with my family, helping my mom decorate the house with diyas, laughing while making rangoli on the floor and sharing homemade treats with neighbours. It’s a time that reminds me of warmth, gratitude and new beginnings. Being away from home, I celebrate in smaller ways, some of which are a quick call with family, a few diyas and the comfort of carrying a piece of home with me.

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Avantika Sharma

Fourth year Bioinformatics

Diwali is my favourite time of the year because it’s filled with goodness, worship, sweets and celebration with loved ones. I usually start the morning by making rangolis and gujiyas with my mom, followed by prayers and festivities in the evening. The entire community decorates their windows and balconies with glowing lights, creating such a beautiful atmosphere. Later, we all gather to light sparklers and end the day with a homemade feast. Diwali truly brings me joy, peace and gratitude for togetherness. 

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Nishika Patel 

Third year Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology 

Diwali has always been a time of warmth, light and connection for me. As a child, I remember rushing outside with sparklers, the air filled with laughter and the scent of sweets from the kitchen. Those moments with my family, sharing food, decorating with diyas and watching the sky burst with colour made Diwali feel magical. Now it is more than just a celebration; it is a reminder of togetherness, gratitude, spirituality and the simple joy of spreading light both around and within. 

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Atharv Govardhan 

Third year Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology 

Diwali, to me, is a time to slow down and appreciate the people and moments that bring light into my life. Back home, I used to help my parents line the balcony with diyas and sneak extra sweets from the kitchen when no one was looking. Now, even as a student away from home, lighting just one diya reminds me of those cozy nights and the peace Diwali brings. It’s about carrying that same warmth wherever I go. 

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Bhargavi Bhatt 

Third year Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology 

For me, Diwali means joy, colour and community. I remember my childhood evenings spent helping my friends set up lanterns and competing over who could make the brightest rangoli. Now, celebrating as a student, I find happiness in sharing those traditions with others and creating new ones together. Diwali reminds me that no matter where we are, the light we share keeps us connected to home and to each other.

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The Indian Students’ Association is hosting a Diwali celebration, Patakha, on Friday, Oct. 24 at 6:30 p.m. at The Avenue Room. Tickets are $35 at the door. There will be dinner, performances, games and a DJ.