Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas will be celebrated on Nov. 8, but one Calgary group held its celebrations on Saturday at the Rio Banquet Hall in north east Calgary. Joining the festivities was Premier Danielle Smith, alongside several other government officials and ministers. “Hindus, Sikhs and other south-Asian communities have made irreplaceable contributions to Alberta for generations, creating jobs and helping to grow our economy, contributing to politics and civic life, strengthening our health care system, building strong community connections, welcoming newcomers, and so much more,” Smith said. “This is a tremendous legacy, and Alberta is lucky to have you.” Diwali is celebrated around the world by multiple faiths, including but not limited to Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and more. It is known for being a festival of lights, and is marked by prayers, family gatherings, and the lighting of lights and fireworks. While the specific origin stories of Diwali differ based on region, all celebrations share the common theme of the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Some versions focus on Guru Hargobind, who saved 52 imprisoned Hindu kings. “As a Sikh, as a mother, as a grandmother, the story touches my heart every time. It reminds us of how precious freedom is in each of our lives, and that true freedom means standing up for others too. Two celebrations, one message rooted in the values so many of us were raised with family, faith and freedom,” said Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Indigenous Relations. The speeches given by Sawhney, Smith, and other speakers had a strong focus on the importance of family, leading Smith to highlight several announcements the government made earlier this year, all aimed at supporting families and children. Among them is $3.3 million for Khalsa School Calgary, a school focused on teaching through a Sikh perspective. “The expansion will allow us to create additional learning spaces, accommodate more students, and better serve the growing needs of our community. Most importantly, it will allow us to create more opportunities for future generations of students,” said Khalsa School Principal Herpinder Gill. When the school was founded in 2007 it had 52 students, but now has 700. Gill says the funding will help meet growing demand, with Smith adding the funding commitment is representative of a growing south-Asian community in Alberta. “It’s just such a testament to the growth of your communities that we have to do so much construction,” Smith said. The festivities on Saturday also saw several dancers, as well as traditional prayers and songs.
