Carleton Shines With Hindu Festival Of Lights

October 31, 2009

Author: Arika Garg

Source: Carleton News

http://apps.carleton.edu/news/features/?story_id=582988

On Sunday, October 18, Carleton commemorated the Hindu “festival of lights,” Diwali, with a celebratory event held at the Severance Great Hall. The event featured a keynote address by guest speaker Suhag Shukla, co-founder of the Hindu American Foundation, followed by vocal and dance performances by members of DESI (Dedicated to the Exploration of South-Asian Interests) club and other Carleton students.

Shukla’s speech focused on the religious significance of Diwali for Hindus, and specifically, for Hindus in America today. As the Managing Director and Legal Counsel of the Hindu American Foundation, Shukla builds inter and intrafaith relations and provides analyses on key issues such as religious discrimination and immigration reform. The Hindu American Foundation, started in 2004, is an advocacy group providing a progressive voice for the Hindu population in America.