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LEICESTER, UK, October 26, 2004: With the flick of a switch, 6,000 bulbs will illuminate this city to mark the start of one of the biggest Deepavali celebrations outside of India. More than 70,000 people are expected to attend official events in this Asian dominated city over two days beginning October 31. The switch-on will follow a ceremony with cultural entertainment, music and dancing that starts in Belgrave Road, at 6 p.m. Councillor Piara Singh Clair, the Lord Mayor of Leicester, is the guest of honor and will turn on the illuminations. He said: “I am really delighted to be chief guest at this year’s Deepavali celebrations. “Deepavali is an opportunity for all cultures to come together. It is a time for family and friends to share and enjoy. I am very proud of Leicester’s Deepavali celebrations.” Maganbhai Patel, president of the Leicester Hindu Festival Council, said: “We are very proud to have been at the heart of this event for more than a decade. Deepavali celebrations here are the biggest outside the Indian subcontinent, and attract visitors to our city from across the world.



This year’s official Deepavali firework celebrations are being sponsored by Alliance & Leicester, a finance major. The celebrations come after students, staff and parents at Abbey Primary School and Community centre enjoyed Raas and Garba dancing last week. Children of all ages dressed in colorful costumes enjoyed dancing to music provided by the Shivranjini group on the first day of Navratri.

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