Diwali at Leeds: A Celebration of Community, Culture and Belonging
As the Business School prepares to celebrate Diwali in 2026, we spoke to alumna and organiser Meenakshi Sarkar and some of the volunteers who helped make last year’s event so special.
Dr Meenakshi Sarkar (PhD 2019) – Programme Director, MSc HRM
I moved to the UK as an international student, and whilst I was enjoying all the new things like Halloween Easter and Christmas, I was secretly missing Indian celebrations like Durga Pujo, Holi and Diwali. In 2024 I organised the first Diwali celebrations at the Business School (sponsored by the James E Lynch India Centre). Over 280 students attend the event, which strengthened our spirits. Now in its third year, the Diwali celebrations are a regular event for the School.
Our committed student volunteers make this truly a student led occasion and offers them an opportunity to learn event management skills and develop cultural understanding. Apart from a fashion walk, rangoli and henna, the highlight is the Diwali quiz (a world religion Kahoot quiz) and the Indian food served (Pani Puris, Chole, Paneer, samosas) which remains popular with not just Indian students but also other international staff and students too. Diwali is not just a religious festival in India; it is a coming together of communities and that is what we try to recreate in LUBS.
Afsana Riny – MSc Data Analytics and Human Resources Management (2025-26)
As a Muslim, Diwali is not a festival that I personally celebrate, and before coming to LUBS, I had never experienced a Diwali celebration. I had heard of Diwali and knew that it was an important festival, but I had never had the opportunity to see how it was celebrated or to experience the traditions and atmosphere for myself.
I volunteered to help with the 2025 event as I was genuinely curious to learn about the traditions, the meaning behind the festival and why it is so important to so many people. What I enjoyed most was being able to experience something that was outside my own culture and religion while being surrounded by people who were so enthusiastic about sharing it. It reminded me that University is not only a place where we learn academically, but also a place where we can learn from each other’s cultures, traditions, and experiences. I think it is particularly special that LUBS celebrates Diwali because it creates an opportunity for people from different cultural and religious backgrounds to come together.
These kinds of celebrations are especially meaningful for an international student because they encourage curiosity, respect, and a genuine sense of community. I may not celebrate Diwali myself, but being able to contribute to the celebration made me feel that there was a place for everyone to participate and learn from one another. Volunteering at the Diwali celebration was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my time at LUBS. The celebration demonstrated what inclusivity can look like in practice. It gave students and staff the opportunity to share an important part of their culture, while also allowing people like me to experience and understand something that was new to us.
Akanksha Singh – MSc Data Analytics and Human Resources Management (2025-26)
Diwali has always held a special place in my heart and remains one of my most cherished festivals. Growing up in India, it was a time filled with excitement, warmth, laughter and togetherness. From decorating our homes with lights and diyas to sharing sweets, enjoying festive meals and spending precious moments with family, every little tradition made the celebration special. For me, Diwali has always been more than just the festival of lights. It represents love, gratitude, hope, new beginnings and the joy of bringing people together.
Before joining the Business School, I remember seeing its Diwali celebrations on LinkedIn. Seeing the University embrace different cultures made me feel excited and reassured about becoming part of such a welcoming community. Celebrating Diwali as an international student at the Business School gave this familiar festival a new meaning. Being thousands of miles away from home made me appreciate the memories and connections behind these traditions even more. Although I missed celebrating with my family, the warmth of the LUBS community made the occasion incredibly special.
One of my favourite moments was sharing Diwali with friends from different cultural backgrounds, many experiencing it for the first time. Their curiosity about our traditions and enthusiasm for saree draping, henna, quizzes, music and dance was truly heartwarming. Being involved in organising the celebrations and participating in dance performances brought back the familiar excitement of preparing for Diwali at home. Seeing others embrace traditions so close to my heart reminded me that the beauty of Diwali lies not only in preserving our culture but also in sharing its values of kindness, generosity and togetherness.
Diwali at LUBS taught me that the feeling of home can be created in unexpected places, through the friendships we build, the traditions we share and the happiness we bring into one another's lives. By celebrating Diwali, LUBS creates an environment where students feel that their cultural identities are recognised, respected and valued. What makes Leeds special is that inclusivity is not just something we learn about or discuss; it is something we experience through the opportunities and connections the University creates. Celebrating Diwali reminded me that a university is more than a place for academic learning. It is also a community where we can embrace our identities, appreciate different perspectives and create a sense of belonging that stays with us long after our studies.
Karishma IV – MBA (2025-26)
When I joined the University of Leeds to begin my MBA, I never imagined that my first festival at the University would be such a beautiful Diwali celebration. I didn't know LUBS celebrated Diwali with so much warmth and enthusiasm. The entire experience felt like a dream! I participated in singing, dancing and a fashion show. One of my most memorable moments was singing “Mil Gayi” spontaneously when another group performed the song I had prepared. I quickly opened the lyrics on my phone and performed a different song. It was unexpected and challenging, but it became one of my favourite memories!
What made the celebration even more special was decorating the hall together and enjoying delicious food, from pani-puri to paneer curry and roti sabzi. Everything felt like a homemade feast! A special mention to Dr Meenakshi, whose warmth, energy and enthusiasm made the celebration so lively. Her encouragement brought people together and inspired everyone to participate. For me, this Diwali was more than a festival. It was an opportunity to make new connections, share happiness and experience the warmth of home in a new country. It is a memory I will always cherish. What makes LUBS celebrating Diwali special is the opportunity it creates for people from different cultures and backgrounds to come together and appreciate one another's traditions. From decorating the hall to sharing our talents through music, dance and fashion, everyone contributed to making the celebration memorable.
It was wonderful to see how a festival could bring people together through shared experiences and happiness. For international students, being away from home can sometimes be difficult. Celebrations like these help us build friendships and create meaningful memories beyond the classroom. For me, LUBS celebrating Diwali shows that a university is more than a place for academic learning. It is a community where different cultures are valued, connections are built and everyone can feel included. I am grateful to everyone who made my first Diwali at LUBS such a beautiful and unforgettable experience.
Zixuan He – MA HRM
Last year’s Diwali celebration was a fun and unforgettable cultural experience. The main hall at the Business School was beautifully decorated, creating a wonderful festive atmosphere. Many of our Indian friends wore their traditional clothes, and people sang and danced together. The event was full of energy and gave me the chance to experience the rich and colourful traditions of Indian culture. We had the chance to try wearing saris and experience traditional henna art by having beautiful patterns drawn on our hands. We also enjoyed some special Indian food together.
The event was not only a wonderful way to spend an evening, but also an opportunity to experience a different culture first-hand. I really enjoyed taking part in the activities and sharing these happy moments with friends from different cultural backgrounds. It also helped me appreciate how cultural exchange can bring joy and new perspectives to our lives. I think events like this are especially meaningful for international students. We come from different countries and have different cultural backgrounds, and celebrations like Diwali give us the chance to learn about each other’s cultures, share traditions and build friendships. This is what makes the LUBS community special. It brings students from different backgrounds together and helps everyone feel welcomed, respected and part of the community.
Swati Verma – MA HRM
Diwali has always been the festival of hope, beating away the fear inside me. Last year I took a leap of faith and choose to study for a masters degree in Leeds. To be a part of LUBS on normal day is in itself is something to be proud of. LUBS celebrating Diwali gave me a chance to feel a special sense of belongingness that was very much essential for me, and brought me much happiness.
Information about the 2026 Diwali celebrations is on Eventbrite: LUBS Diwali Celebrations 2026 Tickets, Thursday, November 5 • Starts at 5 PM | Eventbrite
