Diwali Mela...!!

IMT-D, 16th Oct, 2009- For people living outside their country, small events connecting them with their homeland can touch hearts. Day-to-day life away from home is hard enough, but when it comes to being away from home on festivals, homesickness reaches new levels altogether.
At IMT Dubai, there is a clear understanding of these sentiments, and every effort is made to make the students feel as much at home as possible. The Diwali Event organised by the ECAC and the Sports Committee was one such attempt that reminded IMT students that they are a part of a large family, the IMT family!
Preparations started with gusto in the early afternoon of 16th October, as people started setting up their stalls for the Diwali Mela. Some innovative ideas, some investment and lots of profit! People set up different kinds of stalls, to attract people and get a chance to early revenue.
Soon enough, people starting filing into the courtyard to have fun at the stalls. From simple card and luck games, to refreshments, from Diwali sweets to interesting games, from a professional Mehendi-wali to Basketball, there was a medley of attractions, which generated a lot of interest among students!
At 7 pm, the IMT students were requested to join the ECAC members and the faculty into the recreation room, for Lakshmi Pooja and Aarti. Once inside, it felt no less than being in a mandir. With the murti of Goddess Lakshmi residing in the room, the feel was spiritual and pure. Everyone assembled at the front of the room, where Dr.Abhilasha lit the Diwali diya. The room then reverberated with the tune of Jai Laxmi Ramana, with everyone singing along the aarti. After the pooja, the thaali was circulated around the room, and bhog halwa distributed. It truly felt like being in a mandir with family! The togetherness and purety of the festival bounced of the walls and people’s faces radiated with smiles. Everyone wished each other a happy diwali, hugged friends and shook hands. Special Moments…
Following the successful stalls came an equally engaging Cultural Event, where IMT students got a chance to present their talents in front of everyone. The hosts of the event, Pranay Sachdev and Neha Mathur, kept the event pepped up and conversationalist.
There were many fantastic performances by the students, but the ones that really stood out were the Solo Dance by Dimpy Kachhia and the Dance by Rohan Popli and Group. Both really took one’s breath away! Apart from these performances, the finale of the evening, The Indo-Western Fashion Show, choreographed by Apeksha Mehta and Gloria D’Souza, made everyone sit up and applaud in amazement! The first ever fashion show of IMT was a huge success!
After the Cultural Event, the stalls were opened again for people to enjoy. The night ended with shouts of joy and laughter echoing through the campus. The spirit of the Diwali burnt long and strong, and IMT celebrated its 2nd Diwali.
A Home away from Home!!


Team METH...!!