Indian Business Chamber gears up for Diwali gala

The Indian Business Chamber in Vietnam (InCham) is putting on an extravagant Diwali gala at the Sheraton Saigon on the evening of October 30 for the international community to celebrate the Festival of Lights and get an insight into the culture of India.
Incham chairman Dhananjay Kumar said doors would be opened wide for not only the Indian expatriate community but also Vietnamese and others to immerse themselves in the enlivening spirit and activities of the Diwali gala.
Kumar said this year’s Diwali gala celebration would feature multiple performances from the Indian society as well as Vietnamese artists. Along with the shows by Indians, the talent development agency John Robert Powers Vietnam will perform international standard dance and musical programs.
Renowned local emcee Thanh Bach will participate under the John Robert Powers banner to act as one of the emcees and hopefully sing a song to entertain the audience.
Kumar said InCham expected the upcoming Diwali to attract over 1,000 participants, more than 400 of them Indians living and working in Vietnam. There will also be shows featuring fashion and culture from different parts of India and a wide selection of Indian food.
InCham will donate part of the proceeds from ticket sales and from sponsorship amounts to charity. Kumar said the donations could be VND200 million (over US$11,200) this year.
Regarded as one of the biggest Indian festivals, Diwali is celebrated with great enthusiasm and happiness all over India for five days with the third day the main celebration of Diwali.
On the special day, there is a colorful variety of fireworks and people light up diyas (cotton string wicks inserted into small clay pots filled with oil) and candles all around their houses as a symbol of victory of good over evil within an individual.
They perform Laxmi (Goddess of Wealth) Puja in the evening and seek divine blessings from the Goddess of Wealth, and many wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks. The festival of Diwali is never complete without the exchange of gifts, and people present Diwali gifts to all near and dear ones.
Tickets for the upcoming Diwali gala in HCMC are VND500,000 (around US$28) per person.