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12,000 people expected at Diwali extravaganza in Dubai

Dubai - Celebrations will take place on October 18 at the Etisalat Academy's Sports and Leisure Club, from 5pm to 11pm.

At least 12,000 people are expected to attend this year's mega Diwali event in Dubai, which will feature a Rangoli (floral arrangement) competition, as well as stalls filled with delicacies from 20 Indian states, organisers announced on Sunday. 
Now in its 11th year, the celebrations will take place on October 18 at the Etisalat Academy's Sports and Leisure Club, from 5pm to 11pm.
Among all the festivities lined up, the Rangoli competition is set to be the highlight of the  day. Eighty teams from across the country have already signed up for the contest. 
Organised by Friends of India (FOI) Events, under the patronage of the Consulate-General of India (CGI), the Diwali Utsav 2019 will be a huge cultural extravaganza. 
"Overall, the event aims to paint a picture of unity in diversity by displaying various dance forms, cuisines, and other functions related to celebrating Diwali," Vipul, the Consulate-General of India to Dubai, said during the Press event on Sunday where details of the event were announced. "Like last year, we will be partnering with Dubai Police and other local government bodies." 
Prominent Indian playback singer Vijay Prakash is expected to perform, too.
In a bid to keep the culture alive among younger generations, a section of the celebrations will be dedicated to traditional Indian games, said M Mohan, CSR coordinator for FOI. 
"Games such as Kabbadi, Kho-Kho, Goli, Ghilli-Danda, and indoor games like shatranj will be played at the event."
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com