Humber North campus came alive on Nov. 1 as the First Year Experience (FYE) team organized a vibrant Diwali celebration for students to connect and share traditions.
Diwali, the festival of lights, brought colour, music and joy to the campus.
Students, staff and faculty gathered to honour one of the most important festivals of South Asian culture at Humber North's campus cafeteria. The event welcomed students from all backgrounds to celebrate the spirit of Diwali together.
As the campus was filled with the aroma of traditional Indian snacks and the glow of festive decorations, Gurkeerat Kaur, a senior peer mentor with FYE, shared the reason behind organizing the event.
“We wanted to create a place where students, especially those new to Humber, could connect with each other and feel like a home,” Kaur said.
Kaur said that Diwali symbolizes light over darkness and allows students to share cultural traditions, even when far from family.
“Events like this help students feel part of a community,” she said.
The Diwali celebration, organized by FYE’s student-led team, included traditional Indian dance, diya lighting, and henna stations. People decorated diyas, small clay lamps traditionally used to signify the victory of light over darkness.
“Since fireworks weren't allowed on campus, we focused on fun activities like diya decorating and henna art to create a traditional atmosphere,” Kaur said.
The event also offered popular Indian snacks, giving many international students a taste of home.
Kaur said between 500 to 600 students were expected, but only 200 to 300 students attended. Despite the smaller turnout, the celebration was lively, with everyone enjoying the activities.
"Students danced, joined cultural activities, and DJ Spinz kept everyone energized with upbeat music," she said.
Vishveshgiri Mehta, a sports management student at Humber, the celebration was a comforting reminder of Diwali at home.
“Being away from family during Diwali can be hard, but events like this make Humber feel like a second home,” he said.
Mehta said the sense of community connection the event created helped him stay connected to his culture while studying abroad.
Sangita Patel, a Fashion Arts and Business program student at Humber, said seeing the Diwali spirit celebrated so vibrantly on campus was an amazing experience.
“I felt a deep sense of pride seeing so many students and faculty celebrating a festival of love, light, and hope together,” she said.
“Celebrating Diwali at Humber with friends and new people was a great experience. It’s comforting to see our culture celebrated so brightly on campus,” Patel said.
Kaur said the event was part of Humber's effort to build a campus culture that values diversity and inclusion, giving students a chance to share each other's traditions.
“The FYE team shared hopes to grow Humber’s cultural events in the future, planning to celebrate more festivals and encourage wider participation,” she said.
The event successfully combined culture, fun, and community, leaving students with lasting Diwali memories. Kaur said these types of celebrations are important in bringing students together and promoting cultural understanding and a sense of belonging.
“As music played and laughter filled the air, it was clear that events like these help students feel at home, no matter where they’re from. The Diwali celebration honoured a cultural tradition and showcased Humber’s vibrant, diverse spirit,” Kaur said.
