Indian students at Ï㽶ÊÓƵAPP celebrate Diwali in Cardiff
Diwali is the festival of lights and one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists.
This year, to celebrate the occasion, Marcel Clusa from the University's International Student Support Office and three Ï㽶ÊÓƵAPP Indian students were invited to Cardiff for a very special event with Rt Hon Mark Drakeford, First Minister of Wales and Raj Aggarwal, Hon Consul of India in Wales.
Students got to meet and chat with the First Minister of Wales, who dedicated a few words to acknowledge the importance of the 20,000 Indians currently working and studying in Wales for the future of this country and for the future relations between Wales and India. Akshata Rajendra Galgali, Chair of Bangor Indian Society and attendee, said; "The best part of the event was definitely meeting the First Minister, it was lovely to see him in person! We had a good conversation about studying in Wales and he enquired about our degrees after we found out that he used to be an external examiner for Bangor! How exciting! He was delighted that Bangor students could attend the event and I felt sort of star struck in the moment!"
Events like this are proof, once more, of how Wales can be proud of its own language and culture but also work hard to be a welcoming country, celebrating and valuing its diversity. "Wales has definitely made me feel more than welcome here as a student! It’s just so homey now, the location is again what makes it unique and the people around are so helpful and nice! Whenever I come back here I feel a sense of comfort and ease!", concluded Akshata who shared, together with students Diti Kumar and Sushmita Yadav, the wonders of Bangor with other Indian students at the Diwali celebration.