SFU hosts 7th annual Diwali Gala

Simon Fraser University held its 7th annual Diwali event at Surrey’s Crown Palace Banquet Hall on Oct. 21, with more than 300 business and community leaders, SFU students, faculty, staff and alumni.

 

Hosted by SFU President Andrew Petter, and emceed by Wally Oppal, who chairs the SFU-India Advisory Council, the annual event is one of the many ways in which the University celebrates Indian culture and engages with the South Asian community.

 

During the evening, a group of SFU alumni shared details of their involvement with Destiny Reflections, a program based in Kolkata, India, that is designed to economically empower survivors of human trafficking or women at high risk of being exploited.

 

The Vancouver International Bhangra Celebration performed, along with a special performance by SFU alumna Simran Sidhu, who recently won Omni TV’s Bollywood Star competition. Sidhu graduated with honours from SFU with a bachelor’s degree in communication.

 

Supported by the SFU-India Advisory Council, the business and networking event provides an opportunity for the community to learn more about SFU’s India initiatives, including the university’s India Strategy, and meet council members as well as students who are current and former recipients of the India mobility initiative funding.

 

Funds raised from the event go toward SFU student scholarships to support opportunities for students to work, study and volunteer in the cities and villages of India, through the university’s mobility initiative.