iCAN celebrate Diwali 2023 in London and Birmingham
This month iCAN held Diwali celebrations in our London and Birmingham hubs. These events brought together members, sponsors and the wider community to commemorate the Festival of Lights in 2023.
What is Diwali?
Diwali is the five-day Festival of Lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world. It is a festival of new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness, and for some also coincides with harvest and New Year celebrations.
iCAN Celebrations
We began our Diwali celebrations by hosting a memorable Diwali event with Gallaghers Insurance in their London office on Tuesday 7th November. The event was focused on learning about Diwali and the customs associated with it, including vibrant dances and the spirit of unity.
Throughout the evening we also successfully raised funds for the Diwali Basket Brigade, a community initiative led by local volunteers, founded by Deepak Parekh, through raffles with those who attended.
On Thursday 9th November we held our second Diwali celebration with our sponsor Beazley in Birmingham. The event, which featured a speech by Deepak Parekh, was a testament to our growing presence in the Midlands and we greatly appreciate our sponsors, dancers (with a special mention to Jagdis Kumar), caterers and members whose contributions ensured the success of the event.
We also held fundraising for the Diwali Basket Brigade in Birmingham through raffles with those who attended.
These Diwali events were more than just gatherings, they were expressions of unity, diversity and the shared joy of cultural celebrations. We are very grateful to everyone who played a role in making these events a success.
We hope everyone had a Happy New Year and Sal Mubarak, and we hope you have a year filled with prosperity.
About iCAN
The Insurance Cultural Awareness Network (iCAN) is a leading organisation committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in the insurance sector. Established in 2017, iCAN has been instrumental in spotlighting cultural awareness, fostering talent, and championing diversity within the industry.