The triumph of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair was celebrated at the Alberta legislature Monday morning. The ceremony attended by government and cultural leaders from across the province was for Diwali, also known as Deepavali or the Festival of Lights. In Hindu culture, the holiday, which usually falls sometime between October and November depending on the lunar calendar, celebrates the return of the deity Prince Rama to Ayodhya, typically with lights and fireworks which symbolize the victory of light over darkness. “For many of us who have made Canada our home, it means a great deal to preserve our cultural heritage while embracing our Canadian identity,” Indian Society of Calgary president Devesh Oberoi said in a speech during the ceremony. He noted that this is the third consecutive Diwali celebration hosted by the Alberta legislature since the tradition was paused. “When Diwali is celebrated here in the Alberta legislature, it sends a powerful message to our younger generation and to our wider community that our cultural traditions are part of Alberta’s story, and we can be proud of both our roots and culture while being equally proud to call ourselves Albertans and Canadians,” Oberoi said. Diwali is celebrated by people of the Hindu, Jain, Sikh and Buddhist faith, according to the Hindu American Foundation. In the 2021 Canadian census, Alberta was home to 78,520 Hindu, 103,600 Sikh, 590 Jain, and 42,830 Buddhist practitioners. For Sikhs, Diwali is also an opportunity to celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas, or the liberation of Guru Hargobind. Speaking at the legislature, Indigenous Relations Minister Rajan Sawhney, called the holiday a meaningful connection to her own Sikh heritage. “We are reminded that even a small light can make a meaningful difference in a person’s life. Each light serves as a symbol of hope, compassion, and generosity, values that strengthen our communities every single day,” she said. The event also consisted of dance and musical performances, and prayers, as well as remarks from Alberta NDP and Opposition Leader Naheed Nenshi and Lt.-Gov. Salma Lakhani. “The simple act of lighting the diya [lamp or candle] we’ve heard brings light to times of darkness. But I think it’s even more symbolic than that. In these dark and difficult and divisive times for so many of us, it’s an act of not just faith, but an act of defiance,” Nenshi said. To the South Asian community, Lakhani offered thanks. “For your dedication to bringing love and light to those around you, not just during this festival, but throughout the year. In the world we live in today, we need that more now than ever before. Your sense of caring, inclusivity, your great energy, and your sustained citizenship are true blessings that benefit all Albertans and Canadians. You make our province and country a better place to live in.” Diwali officially starts on Sunday and will last five days.
