In honor of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, celebrated this year on Nov. 8, D-E marked the occasion with activities across divisions. During a Lower School Assembly, students learned about influential South Asian figures, including Saadia Faruqi, author of the popular “Yasmin” children’s book series; cricket player Sachin Tendulkar; former tennis player Sania Mirza; Indira Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India; and the current Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. Two Middle School students, Aadya Jain ’31 and Krishnaa Mudambi ’32, returned to Drapkin Hall to lead students in a traditional Indian dance. Aadya remarked that it was “good to give back to the Lower School community and to see our [South Asian] culture represented.” Added Krishnaa, “We both did a similar dance when we were in the Lower School, so it was a nostalgic experience.” Several other South Asian MS students gathered to make a rangoli, an Indian art form, and shared mango lassi with the rest of the D-E community. In addition, the Upper School’s South Asian Affinity group will host an intimate Diwali celebration in the Campus Center. What a lovely way to embrace the many ways culture brings our community together!