At HTS, we have a strong commitment to promoting a sense of belonging, honouring diversity, and lifelong learning. Our community aspires to live up to the Ubuntu principle, which holds that all people are bound together by a common thread. "I am who I am because of who we all are" is one way to translate Ubuntu.
In the first days of November, HTS celebrated The Festival Of Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights. Diwali holds deep cultural and religious significance across several faiths. The essence of the celebration is the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. The festival involves lighting lamps, exchanging gifts, feasting, and fireworks to symbolize the victory of light and knowledge. Countries such as India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, and beyond, celebrate Diwali with various regional customs and traditions. 
During our Chapel service this week, students and guests had the opportunity to learn more about Diwali from students sharing their knowledge and personal experiences. The Parent Association set up a display table featuring key elements associated with the holiday.
In our family, Diwali is a joyful time when we come together to celebrate and create cherished memories. We enjoy delicious meals and take part in the tradition of cleaning and decorating our home, symbolizing a fresh start. It’s also a time for wearing new clothes, which adds to the festive spirit as we look ahead to a prosperous and happy year. We light diyas inside and outside, filling our surroundings with warmth and light. Exchanging gifts and enjoying fireworks adds to the excitement, making Diwali a truly special occasion filled with gratitude, love, and happiness.
During Diwali, we light candles and fireworks. The candles symbolize the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. They are placed around homes and temples, illuminating the space and inviting the presence of prosperity and knowledge. In some households, people make Rangoli which are colourful designs made from rice, flour, or flower petals, often placed at the entrance of homes. They are meant to welcome guests and deities, especially Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, ensuring blessings and prosperity. Many families perform a prayer to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, to seek her blessings for the coming year. This practice symbolizes the desire for both material and spiritual prosperity.
Diwali is also a time to come together to eat sweets and celebrate! Some of the sweets we eat include laddus, jalebi, barfi, and gulab jamun. These sweets are traditional Southern Asian sweets and are shared among family and friends during Diwali. These sweets signify the sharing of joy and happiness, and offering them to others is considered an act of goodwill. Each of these elements plays a key role in expressing the central themes of Diwali.
Written by: Tejas M., 8B