This year, New Mexico State University hosted the annual Roshni festival on Nov. 3, bringing the NMSU and Las Cruces community to promote diversity on campus and foster intercultural dialogue. Roshni is an observance that pays homage to the Indian celebration of Diwali. The word Roshni translates to light from several Southeast Asian languages, attributing to the festival being often referred to as the Festival of Light.
Sophia Sangwanthong, director of both LGBT+ Programs and the Asian Pacific Islander Program, helped organize the celebration. The event was also co-hosted by the Indian Student Association. She said this event takes place annually and sees at least 400 attendees.
“[The event] was a beautiful expression of our NMSU, El Paso, and Las Cruces communities,” Sangwanthong said. “[This] event promotes visibility and a platform for this beautiful expression of Diwali, serving our Indian and South Asian communities, and sharing joy and peace with the communities of NMSU, Las Cruces, and El Paso.”
Celsia Arockiadass, a volunteer at the event said, said that the history behind the celebration comes from the Hindu epic in which the demon king Ravana is slayed by lord Rama. The story’s theme centers around the concept of ‘the triumph of good over evil.’
Jay Choate, an NMSU graduate student attended Roshni. He said he came to support the various members of the Indian Student Association who are also on the Graduate Student Council. Choate said he attended the event last year and was eager to experience it again.
“I just think it is nice to be engaged with the various cultures and to see what they want to present… I have attended various different cultural events… And so, I like to see different cultures celebrate and how they celebrate,” he said.
Manushra Vemulapalli, a student and volunteer at the event expressed that the message behind this celebration is to remain positive in the face of challenges.
“It’s [about] maintaining the spirit of goodness despite bad energy that threatens to keep us down as an individual[s],” Vemulapalli said.
The event began with several speakers taking to the podium and expressing what Diwali means to them. Akanksha Varma, an NMSU student observing Diwali, expressed that during this time of celebration, families are brought closer together through their acknowledgement of love and appreciation for one another. Varma went on to explain how Diwali is celebrated differently from region to region. However, it is traditional to light candles and dress colorfully.
“The lights there symbolize strength, wisdom and hope … When the light inside us trips over our inner darkness,” Diwali reminds us that we can be “[led from] darkness into light, [again],” Varma said.
Garrett Moseley, a student regent, emphasized the importance of community during Diwali celebrations.
“Tonight symbolizes the brightness we can bring into our lives and the lives of others,” Moseley said, referring to the symbolic candles. “In our often-busy lives, it’s easy to get caught up in our own challenges and aspirations, yet today reminds us of the importance of kindness, compassion and unity.”
He also emphasized the importance of hope and uplifting one’s community, especially in times of need.
“Just as light dispels darkness, our collective efforts can illuminate the paths of those around us,” Moseley said.
