Indian community celebrates cultural heritage in Kano
Indian community in Kano under the auspices of Indian Cultural Association (ICA) has celebrated their famous tradition called Diwali which simply means row of lights. The annual event, which took place over the weekend in the state, was aimed at showcasing the Indian rich cultural heritage in a grand and colourful style. According to Indian […]
Indian community in Kano under the auspices of Indian Cultural Association (ICA) has celebrated their famous tradition called Diwali which simply means row of lights.
The annual event, which took place over the weekend in the state, was aimed at showcasing the Indian rich cultural heritage in a grand and colourful style.
According to Indian calendar, Diwali is one of the most celebrated Indian festivals all over the world and it comes up October/November annually.
The word Diwali, was driven from the Sanskrit language. The significance of the festival was the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.
According to Mrs Sarada Maganti, one of the organizers of the event, “Light is a common symbol of all religions. So this is a festival of joy and it lights up the spirit.”
Kano Chronicle observed that over a thousand people gathered at the Lebanon Club Kano to celebrate the event in which the pomp and pageantry that come with its celebration could only be imagined.
Some of the dignitaries that graced this year’s Diwali festival in the state include the Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Sri Subhash Chand and the state Commissioner of Police, who was represented by DCP Paul Osama.
In his address, the Indian deputy high commissioner, said he was particularly happy to be at the event as it coincided with the celebration of 60 years of diplomatic engagement between India and Nigeria.
“Sixty years ago, on November 18, 1958, that was 2 years before Nigeria became an independent nation, India had opened a diplomatic house in Lagos.
“In the last 60 years, the relationship between the two countries has grown from strength to strength. Today we are largest trading partners for each other,” he noted
Mr Chand traced the relationship between Kano and India back to about 600 years ago when one Baba Ghor from Kano went to Hajj in the 15th century from where he proceeded to India and based in the state of Gujarat.
He added that Baba Ghor settled at a place called Ratnapur, the city of precious stones. “Even today the techniques of polishing precious stones used by Baba Ghor are in vogue.”
Mr Chand then congratulated members of ICA Kano for organizing the event adding that “looking around one don’t feel he was away from India.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the ICA Kano President, Mr Diwakar Singh, described Kano as a community of progressive and open minded people.
He added that ICA regularly participated in charitable projects in the state.
“ICA Kano has over the years contributed greatly to the economic development of the state through investments thereby creating job opportunities for Kano indigenes and Nigerians at large,” he stated
On his part, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Paul Odama, said he was at the event to show solidarity of the Police Command to the ICA Kano, because of the long standing relationship between Nigeria and India.
“Indians are living peacefully in Kano. They are calm and civil. We have not noticed any visible crime committed by them here in Kano. I called on them to continue to be law abiding and live in harmony with the indigenes of the state,” he said
Highlights of the event include a performance by a cultural group all the way from Haryana, India led by Mr Ranjit Singh Sorout, accompanied by the Deputy High Commissioner.