Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. hosted the second annual Diwali celebration on Thursday, October 27 in observation of the Hindu Festival of Lights at the Vishnu Mandir Temple on 1216 Noble Avenue.
This year’s honorees included Gewa Gurcharan, Ridgewood Savings Bank branch banking officer; Juliet Rampersaud, Julie’s Fashion owner; Bharati Iyer, Bronx YMCA membership director and 46th Precinct police officer Kaminie Jeeuth.
The festival’s namesake, ‘Deepavali’, is derived from the row (avail) of clay lamps (deepa) Hindus light outside their homes symbolizing the inner light protecting them from spiritual darkness.
