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How expat kids celebrate festival of lights

Dubai - Some schools around the UAE are also taking part in Diwali festivities

It's that time of the year when most of Karama and Bur Dubai will be shining with lights - Yes, Diwali is here. And the youngsters seem to be the most excited.
Indian children in the UAE spoke to Khaleej Times about what Diwali means to them and some of their best memories of celebrating the occasion.
Arya Ajay Vyas, a 10-year-old student in grade 6, said Diwali is her favourite festival of the year.
"Diwali signifies the triumph of good over evil, truth over falsehood and of light over darkness," she said. "The lights, colours and happiness all around bring positivity and a smile on my face and I let go of all the negativity."
Vyas said Diwali brings back fond memories of the quality time she gets to spend with all of her relatives.
"My favorite memory is our annual family dinner at our house where the entire family would get together and celebrate bursting crackers until late evening. My favorite memory would be when my father used to buy firework, which needed assistance from elders."
Residents from other backgrounds are also planning on joining in on the fun of Diwali.
Kristi Reeni Joies, 10, said even though she does not celebrate Diwali, she enjoys watching her friends playing with firecrackers.
"Diwali is a time of celebration. Diyas are lighted around the door steps of houses, making the corridors brightened. It is the time of happiness," she said.
"Even though, I do not celebrate Diwali, I enjoy watching my friends playing with Bang snaps. On the first day of Diwali, my neighbours purchase ornaments. Families and friends join together to make beautiful rangolis and by playing with fireworks and crackers. Diwali is all about sweets. The sweets such as jalebi, kulfi, mysore paak, kaju katli and rasgullas are all so mouth watering."
Some schools around the UAE are also taking part in Diwali festivities. Youngsters at the GEMS Modern Academy have been making Diwali lamps and sweets with play dough.
"Festivals are meant to be spent with family and friends and every year, we have a calendared holiday for Diwali," the principal of the school, Nargish Khambatta, said.
"A parent has volunteered to do the special rangoli along with our teachers and deck the halls with flower garlands. The kindergarteners have been making colorful Diwali sweets and lamps with play dough for the past week and it is delightful when they wish you 'Happy Diwali' every time you walk down their corridors. Next week, there will be a fun filled Diwali Dhamaka evening with dance and music and traditional food."
And for those residents who do not know what Diwali is all about, a school in Dubai is holding a workshop for its parents to learn what the occasion consists of.
"The Parents and Friends Association (PFA) will be running a Diwali workshop at the end of the school day for students and parents to attend if they wish. The workshop is a practical event with students able to take part in activities that help them understand the festival. There will be an opportunity to try traditional foods as well as have fun with peers. The importance of sharing cultural celebrations in an International school is greatly encouraged by the International Baccalaureate philosophy," the principal at the Jumeira Baccalaureate School, Richard Drew, said.
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com