Indian New Year in Manila

The Indian community in Metro Manila will be celebrating the Indian New Year, called Diwali, today at the Baywalk on Roxas Boulevard in Manila. The celebration is five days ahead of the actual Diwali, which falls on Nov. 12 under the lunar calendar.

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza said the city government will take part in the celebration to further strengthen the relationship between the Philippines and India.

Vishnu Hathiramani, president of the Filipino-Indian Chamber of Commerce, is thankful for Atienza’s assistance, which he said is highly appreciated by Indian nationals in the country, numbering about 70,000.

"We expect this celebration to be one of the biggest tourist attractions, a crossroad of Filipino and Indian friendship, a meeting of friends and relatives and letting Filipinos from all walks of life, feel and celebrate the excitement of Diwali," Hathiramani said.

He said that there will be traditional Indian dances, a rock concert, as well as various culinary delights from the Indian regions and fireworks during the program which is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. .

With the expanding business, tourism and social relations between the Philippines and India, Atienza said the city government decided to celebrate Diwali along the Baywalk, which has become a tourist attraction and favorite venue for family outings. – Cecille Suerte Felipe