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Dr. M. Mohan Alva, President of the Foundation, expressed a heartfelt message encouraging people to bring light to every aspect of life. In his address, Dr. Alva highlighted the importance of embracing fairness, duty, and responsibility, saying, “Light is impartial; we must also illuminate our responsibilities and actions with this clarity.”
He lit the ceremonial lamp at the Vanajakshi K. Shripati Bhat open-air auditorium, symbolically praying for the prosperity of the nation and calling to dispel ignorance and darkness. He urged everyone to move beyond caste, religion, and creed, to come together in unity.
More than 20,000 people, including over 15,000 students, parents, and locals, gathered to participate in the Deepavali rituals. These included worshiping the cow and the sacred Tulsi plant, a symbolic harvest celebration with rice stalks, and the traditional arrangements with kalashas (sacred pots) and farming tools. Offerings were made of local produce such as grains, vegetables, and fruits native to the coastal region, bringing out the agricultural essence of Deepavali.
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A Cultural Extravaganza
The celebration showcased a rich variety of cultural performances, each highlighting different aspects of Indian art and traditions. Classical dance performances in reverence to Lord Shiva, and the enchanting Krishna-Radha dance, alongside Gujarat’s Garba and Dandiya, captivated the audience. Other performances included the Badagutittu Yakshagana, Manipuri dance, and the Kandyan dance from Sri Lanka, as well as local traditional acts like fire-dancing, Kerala’s Chende percussion, and martial arts displays. Students of Alva’s technical division performed the energetic Dollu Kunita, while Kathak dancers presented “Varshadhare” and the vibrant “Gombe Vinodavali” dance rounded off the evening. A spectacular display of fireworks added to the festive atmosphere.