Speaking of Diwali, the multicultural Diwali celebrations conducted by the University of Oregon’s Students of the Indian Subcontinent association was covered by the local media [link] and featured in the college football section of Sports Illustrated online in an article featuring a bevy of cheerleaders [link].

Here’s some interesting points about above mentioned Diwali celebration – the Univ. of Oregon SIS is not comprised of strictly Hindus and even Indian students.

Many students in SIS are not Indian, Sachdeva said, adding that members are a diverse group from India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, and Bhutan, among other nearby nations.

As is evident from the photo accompanying the article, desis and non-desis got together and had a blast. Another interesting facet to this celebration was how Diwali was hybridized with Navratri and other festivals.

Diwali Night will feature music, dancing, rangoli, and authentic Indian cuisine catered by the Indo-Pak Food Association.
Another Diwali Night draw is the dancing, which is always Sachdeva’s favorite part. In addition to open floor dancing, there is dandia, a Gujrati custom where men and women dance in pairs while holding bamboo sticks

The SIS has the right idea – expose people to a foreign culture while having fun.

Bhavaya Sachdeva (co-director SIS): ” Most images I see representing India are not necessarily true,” she said. “If we can show people a different side – not just ‘oh, there’s poverty and a third-world country’ – I think it helps.”
Will Kancharla (co-director SIS): “Anytime we get a chance to show what kind of culture and background we’re from, it gives other people an opportunity to see,” he said. “It’s a pretty good showcase of what Indians are about.”

If anyone has any pictures or follow-up material from these celebrations, please forward it to us and we will pimp it 100% free – desi ishtyle.

Coming back to the Sports Illustrated connection, my fellow college desi football fans from Eugene, Oregon, must be distraught because they dropped out of the national championship race and lost their Heisman trophy candidate quarterback all in a matter of a few hours on Thursday. However, the coverage of their unique Diwali celebration by Sports Illustrated should surely provide some consolation? That, and the cheerleaders (yowza!!!)!!!

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