This fall, the Graduate Student Senate (GSS) sponsored two wonderful events. On October 11, the Nepali Student Association (NSA) hosted UVM Dashain Night, which showcased music and musical instruments from diverse Nepali cultural communities. On October 27, the Indian Student Association (ISA) hosted its 13th annual Diwali Night, a fun-filled evening of music and dance performances representing the varied cultural traditions from across India and the Indian subcontinents.

Dashain Night 2019

Written by Biswash Thakuri, Nepali Student Association

Dashain is the biggest and the longest festival celebrated in Nepal. It is also celebrated in India, Bhutan, Myanmar and by Nepali-speaking communities all over the world. Besides being the symbol for victory of good over evil, the festival also symbolizes love, togetherness, happiness and family. Nepalis from diverse background, caste and creed come together despite their differences to celebrate this 15-day festival.

Nepal is a perfect example of a melting pot as it houses more than 90 culturally and ethnically diverse communities, and Nepalis have found ways to live together in harmony. Dashain Night is a great opportunity for us to share this amazing message across UVM and with the greater Burlington community.

Nepal’s vibrant diversity is expressed through music, arts, languages, foods, literature, celebrations and festivals. Therefore, this year UVM Dashain Night 2019 was celebrated by showcasing music and musical instruments originating from the diverse cultural communities within Nepal. More than 250 audience members came to be part of this year’s UVM Dashain celebration. We believe an event like this helps to promote cultural openness and spread diversity within UVM and the outside community. We feel sincerely thankful to the UVM and Burlington community to have created a welcoming atmosphere for an event like this to take place.

Diwali 2019

Written by Aayudh Das, Indian Student Association

The Indian Student Association (ISA) hosted its 13th annual Diwali Night on Sunday, October 27^th, in the Davis Center’s Grand Maple Ballroom. Diwali, the festival of light, marks the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. It was a fun-filled evening of music and dance performances representing the varied cultural traditions from across India and the Indian subcontinents performed by UVM Jazbaa, UVM Taiko and ISA. This event was a step forward in our efforts to recognize the diverse cultures on UVM’s campus, as well as an attempt to highlight the international presence in the community.

This year was extra special as, for the first time, ISA hosted Padma Shri-awardee legendary Indian folk singer Prahlad Singh Tipanya from India to perform at Diwali. He specializes in singing and interpreting the verses of the 15th-century poet Kabir and other Indian mystical saint-poets. In addition to the music, President Suresh Garimella was the chief guest who spoke on UVM’s diversity mission. For over a decade, Diwali has been one of the major cultural festivities on the UVM campus. This event is not only important for UVM, but as a whole for the Burlington community to spread diversity and raise awareness about various cultures. Diwali 2019 was attended by over 400 guests and was featured on local Channel 17 and the Vermont Cynic.

ISA President Jaspreet Singh Nagi thanked the University of Vermont for providing a platform to come together to celebrate Diwali and to spread the message of love, light in times of darkness, inclusion and common ground. Team ISA thanks everyone for joining and supporting them, and for making this special occasion of Diwali 2019 even more special!