Suvidha International Foundation & City of Rancho Cordova celebrated Diwali @ Village Green Park, California

Indian American Communities gathered to celebrate Diwali in Sacramento, California. The Sacramento-based Suvidha International Foundation, located in California, USA, organized two vibrant Diwali celebrations – one in Rancho Cordova and the other in Folsom.

These festivities highlighted Indian culture, fostered community engagement, and brought over 300 people together to commemorate the Festival of Lights. Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated by millions around the world, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.

This joyous occasion unites families and communities in a spirit of unity, hope, and harmony, transcending cultural and religious boundaries. While Diwali holds deep significance for Hindus, it is also celebrated by Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists, making it a celebration that brings together diverse communities.

In collaboration with the City of Rancho Cordova, Suvidha International Foundation (https://suvidhainternational.org/) hosted a vibrant Diwali Festival, widely known as the “Festival of Lights.” This celebration took place at the Village Green Park in Rancho Cordova, a city located near Sacramento, the capital of California.

Suvidha International Foundation looks back with fondness on the magnificent Diwali celebrations that recently took place in Rancho Cordova. The event, held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, served as a unifying force, bringing together over two thousand attendees from various backgrounds to highlight the essence of unity in diversity and the joyous spirit of Diwali.

Attendees were treated to delicious sweets courtesy of Suvidha International Foundation. The Diwali festivities transformed Village Green Park into a festive wonderland. The park was adorned with beautifully lit diyas, candles, and colorful LED lights.

Elegant decorations, special Diwali banners, and festive hangings adorned the stages, while sparkling LED lights on the trees throughout the park added to the magical ambiance.

Rancho Cordova Vice Mayor Smt. Siri Pulipati attended the event and addressed the crowd. In her speech, she emphasized the importance of Diwali, highlighting how the festival united thousands and fostered a strong sense of community.

She also reaffirmed the city’s commitment to hosting similar cultural celebrations in the future and expressed gratitude to the Suvidha International Foundation and its organizers for delivering such a vibrant and successful Diwali celebration.

The vibrant marketplace at the event featured over ten food stalls serving tantalizing Indian delicacies, along with several jewelry and clothing vendors. More than twenty-five stalls represented local nonprofits and businesses. Henna artists added a traditional touch with their intricate designs.

The Diwali celebrations were further enlivened by captivating musical performances. Local music group, the Gongura Singers, along with talented artists such as Mr. Abdul Shaik, Mr. Srinath, Mrs. Anitha, and Mrs. Madhurima, enthralled the audience with a blend of Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil songs.

Their soulful renditions set the perfect tone for the evening. Additional local singers, including Abhinav Asha Konda, Priyanka Balina, Haripriya, and Pinky Pingali, delivered stunning performances that kept the audience engaged. The mix of melodious tunes and lively rhythms made the celebration unforgettable.

Local talent showcased various performances, including classical dances from the Light of Academy, a Bharatanatyam dance by Kalashraya Dance Academy, a special Parai band performance, and vibrant festive dances. These cultural displays captivated the audience with their artistry and energy, enriching the celebratory atmosphere.

The festive photo booth, sponsored by Vishwakarma Decors, allowed attendees to capture memorable moments. Vishwakarma Decors’ exquisite decorations and photo booth experience truly enhanced the celebration and left a lasting impression on all who attended.

The event also featured a lively carnival with engaging games and attractions. Special thanks go to the adult and youth volunteers from the Art of Living Foundation, who skilfully organized the carnival games.

A variety of cultural competitions, including a Rangoli design contest, a cooking challenge, a Diwali costume competition for youth under 16, and saree and lehenga competitions for adults, drew enthusiastic participation. Trophies were awarded to the top two finishers in each category.

The lead organizers, including Suvidha International Foundation Founder and President Mr. Bhaskar Vempati, Venu Acharya, Vandna Sharma, Bala Kodavatikanti, Shailesh Bhat, Trupti Tiwari, Padmapirya Maddy, Avinash Maddy, Ruma Baruah, Swetha Miryala, and Soumya Boinapally, expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the City of Rancho Cordova, the city’s Park Department, attendees, sponsors, performers, and volunteers for their contributions to the success of the Diwali celebrations.

Mr. Bhaskar Vempati expressed sincere appreciation to the City of Rancho Cordova for supporting the Diwali celebrations with Measure H funds. He emphasized how the city’s sponsorship was crucial in making the event a success, fostering community spirit, and creating a memorable experience for all involved. He also thanked Bharath, Vikram, and Nilesh for beautifully capturing the event in photographs, and Lakshmi for filming the event.

Co-organizer Mr. Venu Acharya extended his thanks to sponsors, food vendors, businesses, nonprofits, and the henna stall for their invaluable contributions to the event. He particularly recognized sponsors such as SMUD, Shankar Pathy Realtor & Loan Officer, Curry Plaza Folsom, and several others. He also expressed his appreciation to Venkat Nagam for writing a beautifully crafted article about the event.

Vandna Sharma, another co-organizer, thanked the cultural performers and competition participants whose incredible skills and cultural expressions enriched the Diwali celebrations. She also thanked the event emcees—Ramraj, Madhuri, Sangeetha, Paresh, Shatakashi, Avanti, and Sanaya—and judges—Satish, Lilam, Chandresh, Paragi, Deepa, Nandini Sawanth, Radhika, Sadhana, and Vijay Bhaskar. Her appreciation extended to the performers’ dedication to preserving and sharing their cultural heritage.

The Suvidha International Foundation is deeply grateful to its incredible volunteers, whose tireless efforts made the Diwali celebrations a resounding success. These dedicated volunteers included Jagan, Prashanth, Deepika, Josephine, Sunil, Anu, Godha, Deepa, Shridhar, and many others.