Happy Diwali 2022! This year iCAN is supporting the Diwali Basket Brigade

What is Diwali?

Diwali is the five-day Festival of Lights, celebrating the harvest and new year. It is a festival of new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. 

The word Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, meaning “rows of lighted lamps”.

iCANApply Lead Jimmy Kumar, who also works at Ardonagh Advisory tells us:

“Diwali is a time for families and neighbours to get together, dress up, share food, sweets and gifts and light up their home’s lamps and candles. It is also a time to remember loved ones and pray for their ancestors.”

This year the celebration is starting on the 24th of October.

How iCAN is celebrating Diwali

We are excited to share our latest iCANVoice podcast hosted by Baljinder Mahil, iCANConnect Lead and Natalia Zurowski, iCAN Advisory Member spoke with Deepak Parekh, the Founder of Diwali Basket Brigade.

The podcast covered how Deepak and his family started the idea and what it has grown into today, what it means to the different faiths celebrating Diwali and how our members can get involved.

Listen to our iCANVoice Podcast here.

iCAN, in conjunction with Gambit Partners also donated £500 which is equal to 50 food hampers to the Diwali Basket Brigade to help families struggling with food poverty.

What is Diwali Basket Brigade?

The Diwali Basket Brigade (DBB) is an annual event organised by The Diwali Foundation, which has been running since 2018. The objective of Diwali Basket Brigade is to provide food hampers to socially deprived / vulnerable households, from all faiths and backgrounds in and around the UK, ahead of the auspicious festival of Diwali.

To learn more about Diwali Basket Brigade and donate, visit: https://diwalibasketbrigade.org/

Baljinder Mahil, iCANConnect lead shares what Diwali means to her:

“It’s a time to be with loved ones and reflect on the goodness and humanity of life, to be grateful and share with those who don’t have as much. Beyond all it’s about love and human connection.”