By Anil Azad Pandey | Beijing
Thousands of miles away from their homeland, the Indian community in Beijing came together over the weekend to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, with grandeur, joy, and togetherness. The vibrant celebration, held at the AC Embassy Hotel, brought together Indians, Chinese, and guests from more than ten countries, transforming the evening into a cultural melting pot of colours, music, and festivity.
The event began with the traditional lighting of diyas, illuminating the entire venue with lamps, rangoli, and lights symbolising the triumph of light over darkness. Attendees—dressed in elegant Indian attire—added to the festive ambience, while many Chinese guests also embraced Indian clothing, reflecting their appreciation for Indian culture.
Over 150 guests participated in the celebration organised by Beijing Indians, featuring lively performances of Kathak, Garba, Bhangra, and Bollywood dance numbers. Renowned Chinese Kathak dancer Juan Du (Hindi name Sachita) and Zhang Jinghui and Group, who had earlier performed before Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Tianjin, mesmerised the audience with graceful moves. Performances by Dr. Reddy’s Country Head Satheeshkumar Sriharan, Shivam Mishra and Indie Vibes, and others brought the crowd to their feet with Bollywood hits such as Kajra Re and Koi Kahe Kehta Rahe.
The evening also offered a spread of authentic Indian cuisine curated by Mehernosh Pastakia, head of the popular restaurant The Taj Pavilion, whose team served aromatic dishes that captured the true flavours of India. The event was sponsored by Dr. Reddy’s and The Taj Pavilion.
Event organiser Arun Mogar shared that the purpose of the celebration was to spread awareness about the significance of Diwali among Chinese and international guests. “Our goal is to unite Indians living away from home and share our traditions with friends across cultures,” he said.
As music, dance, and laughter filled the night, the Diwali celebration in Beijing became a glowing symbol of cultural harmony and the enduring bond between India and China.
*Anil Azad Pandey is a senior journalist who has been living and working in China for over 15 years.
