LAST Saturday (October 18), Diwali was celebrated with great enthusiasm at White Rock beach with thousands of people from diverse communities joining in on a perfect day on the beach. Sanatan Cultural Society organized Diwali in a unique multicultural way and this was perhaps the first time in Canada where so many cultures came together to celebrate this festival of light.  This was initiated and organized by Vivek Vasistha, President, and Aditya Mohan, Vice-President, Sanatan Cultural Society of BC.

The festival was made possible with the support of the City of White Rock, White Rock Tourism, White Rock Business Improvement Association, Hospice Society, Semiahmoo Arts and many other businesses and community organizations.

The ceremony was attended by various dignitaries including White Rock Mayor Wayne Baldwin and federal Minister of State of Multiculturalism Tim Uppal. Various organisations hailing from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds presented delightful cultural performances, including Indian, Filipino, Russian, and African music and dances. The entire White Rock beach was busting with activities and celebrations and kids enjoyed games. There were two life-size elephants arranged for display on this special occasion. The cultural program was followed by spectacular fireworks.

“I think it is a very successful event as we got support from so many organizations and it provided an opportunity to all of us to learn about others and their cultures. As we can build better communities by understanding better what others believe in, this was the perfect occasion for that,” said Vivek Vasistha, Director of Sanatan

Cultural Society.