• Around 140 international guests from 73 countries attend the celebration.
• Sri Lanka High Commission hosts the event with Delhi Study Group.
• 251 traditional earthen lamps lit during the festivities.
• Indian folk dances and a spiritual session mark the cultural evening.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 11th Nov: Around 140 diplomats and international guests representing 73 countries participated in a special Diwali celebration hosted by the Delhi Study Group in association with the Sri Lanka High Commission at Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, on November 4.

The cultural event, titled ‘Diwali with Diplomats – Welcome and Dinner Reception’, brought together ambassadors, high commissioners and senior members of the diplomatic community. The gathering highlighted India’s cultural heritage and aimed to strengthen friendship, goodwill and people-to-people connections between India and other nations.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal attended the celebration with his wife. The evening featured performances showcasing India’s regional traditions, including Punjabi Bhangra, Rajasthan’s Ghoomar and Gujarat’s Garba. Diplomats dressed in their respective national traditional attire joined the celebrations and danced to Indian music.

A special highlight was the lighting of 251 traditional earthen lamps, symbolising the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and hope over despair. Guests also participated in the festive celebrations with sparklers and traditional fireworks.

Delhi Study Group President Dr Vijay Jolly welcomed Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India, Mahishini Colonne, and honoured her with a traditional shawl and a bouquet.

Addressing the gathering, Colonne thanked Dr Jolly and the Delhi Study Group for selecting the Sri Lanka High Commission as the venue for the international Diwali celebration. She noted that such cultural initiatives help strengthen friendly relations between India and neighbouring countries, particularly Sri Lanka, while promoting regional cooperation, mutual understanding and cultural exchange.

Former Governor Dr Jagdish Mukhi, renowned spiritual speaker Acharya Ajay Bhai and several members of the Delhi Study Group were among the distinguished guests. Those present included Pinky Anand, Vijay Mehta, Mukesh Gupta, Bhupendra Kansal, Ashish Brahmbhatt, Yogesh Tandon, Gajendra Solanki, Prof Ashok Sharma, Satindra Kumari, Shubham Gupta, Lubna Asif, Himanshi Pandey, Heera Majoka, Naseem Khan, Balihar Singh, Dr Shipra Bhardwaj and Vijender Yadav.

Delhi Study Group Secretary Vikul Bansal played an important role in organising the event, while former South Delhi Mayor Narendra Chawla conducted the programme.

The evening also featured a spiritual session titled ‘Spiritual Awakening’ by a special team from The Art of Living Foundation, Bengaluru, representing Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The presentation conveyed messages of inner peace, harmony, positive thinking and universal brotherhood.

Greetings from senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh functionary Indresh Kumar and South Delhi MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri were also read out during the programme.

The celebration concluded with a dinner featuring traditional Indian cuisine, providing diplomats and Indian guests an opportunity to interact and exchange Diwali greetings.

The initiative sought to use India’s festivals and cultural traditions as a platform for international friendship, mutual respect and stronger people-to-people ties across national boundaries.