Guernsey's Indian community mark Diwali festival

Members of Indian Community Guernsey (ICG) came together to mark a religious holiday on Saturday.

Diwali, known as the festival of lights, celebrates the victory of good over the evil and took place on Monday 20 October.

The ICG said it celebrated the event a month later as many members returned home to India to celebrate with family and that it wanted to ensure Guernsey residents had a chance to celebrate together as well.

ICG member Dr Rahul Bhintade said the group had about 400 Indian members, which made celebrating its culture even more important.

He said: "It makes me feel very proud, I think Indians obviously have a big global role and we are a big population.

"We need to have a good footprint and our footprint here lays the groundwork for our integration in society here."

Mr Bhintade said people were "interested in knowing" about Indian culture and that local islanders had also joined in the festivities.

"It is showcasing the Indian community and I am very proud of this community - I think from where we were, it has come quite a long way."

Shweta Bhagra, committee member for the ICG, said it was important to uphold traditions in the island and build community whilst away from home.

She said: "One of the most important reasons is our kids, that they understand why we are doing this, the customs, how we take them forward - they only probably know the western culture.

"So, it's a good way to actually let them know that this is also a part of our own Indian culture and this is something that we do to just make them more aware and slowly probably they would connect with our roots back in India."

The evening saw live music, traditional dance performances, a fireworks experience and a henna station.

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