The countdown is on for an amazing inspirational Indian Festival of lights in Tampa Bay. The dynamic Diwali festival is coming to town and organizers couldn’t be more excited or proud.
The Diwali event is India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year. The festival is as important to Hindus as the Christmas holiday is to Christians. They beauty andsymbolism of this special holiday will soon take center stage in Tampa.
This year, The Corporate Diwali ( TCD) organizers have moved from a NY celebration to one in Tampa Bay. The first Corporate Diwali event is set for November 20th. TCD Organizer Manisha Beriwala says the goal is to celebrate and to shine the light on positivity and hope. She’s becoming known as the Diwali Specialist with her effervescent outlook on communities coming together and learning and growing can be contagious. She wants this holiday celebration to become more mainstream. This year TCD is going one step further to also showcase and shine the spotlight on women empowerment. Beriwala says they are saluting 4 local Tampa Bay women who symbolize bright lights in the community for lifting up, giving back and being a positive role model to others. TCD is also working with the Tampa Mayor’s Office to honor, congratulate and distribute proclamations of good work to these women. Beriwala’s enthusiasm is very apparent as she works to create events that connect people, build communities, breed innovation and ignite change.
Each fall, American Hindus celebrate one of their most important festivals, Diwali. It is India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year. Indian communities display special clay lamps outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects them from spiritual darkness. They gather to celebrate to appreciate and cherish each other and family & friends with ornate food and dress and make new memories to be treasured.
6 years ago, Tampa Bay was the sight of the Bollywood Festival. It drew thousands of people to enjoy the Indian American heritage. Celebrities came to town too to celebrate the event known as the Indian Oscars. Big crowds to enjoyed the festivities all around town.
While smaller in scope due to Covid-19, this Diwali event will be in person and showcase the heritage, the spirit and salute the legacy of uniting cultures and people from around the Bay area to celebrate a unique community. It is blossoming in the ability to have mainstream America learn about this holiday and salute it with joy. The organizer, Beriwala is very excited to bring this event to Tampa Bay and in the past she’s said, everyone deserves a little bit of India in their lives. Why not now. Perhaps this will be the start of something beautiful and rewarding for years to come in Tampa Bay.
The Corporate Diwali event is set for November 20th at 7 pm at The Regent-Banquet in Brandon. The ornate cultural display of beauty will be front and center. There will be complete with special foods, a Speak-Up Diversity series, Champagne toasts and more. There are limited tickets. For more information you can contact Kanika Batra at Batra.S.Kanika@gmail.com