More Than 10,000 Attend Diwali Celebration In Downtown San Jose
India-West News Desk
SAN JOSE, CA – More than 10,000 people from across the Bay Area gathered in downtown San Jose on October 24 for a day-long Diwali celebration organized by the Association of Indo Americans (AIA) and Bolly 92.3 FM.
The carnival brought together families, community members, business owners and cultural performers for a celebration featuring Indian music, dance, food, shopping and family activities.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, Indian Consul General in San Francisco Satish Sivan, Santa Clara County Supervisor Betty Duong, Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan and Sunnyvale Mayor Larry Klein were among the dignitaries attending the event. Representatives from the offices of Congressmen Ro Khanna and Sam Liccardo, along with San Jose city councilmembers and other local officials, also participated.
Paul Joseph, chief of police for the city of San Jose, and city councilmembers Murali Srinivasan of Sunnyvale and Raj Chahal of Santa Clara were also among those present.
The dignitaries took part in traditional lamp-lighting ceremonies and shared Diwali greetings, highlighting cultural diversity, inclusion and community harmony.
Singer Abby V was a major attraction, drawing an enthusiastic response with his live performance. He performed several popular songs, including his own track featured in the film ‘Kantara,’ which brought him wider recognition. His performance kept the crowd engaged late into the evening.
The carnival featured traditional and contemporary Indian dance performances celebrating the country’s diverse cultural heritage. Bollywood sing-alongs and Tambola games were among the popular activities.
Food stalls offered Indian cuisine and other favorites, while vendors and local businesses showcased their products and services at a shopping festival and marketplace. A dedicated children’s zone provided activities and entertainment for younger attendees.
The celebration highlighted Diwali’s growing reach beyond the Indian American community, bringing together people from different backgrounds to mark the Festival of Lights and its message of hope, peace and prosperity, the organizers said.
