Indian-American Community Celebrates The Diwali Festival In Stamford
Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights, was celebrated by the Connecticut chapter of GOPIO (Global Organization of People of Indian Origin) in partnership with the Ferguson library and the Stamford Mayor's Multicultural Council (MMC) with traditional music, dance, Mehendi, Indian snacks and a rangoli exhibition.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Diwali, which is a major festival in the Indian sub-continent, celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. It is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains all over the world. Diwali is now a public holiday in many US towns and cities including New York.
The performances by local dance schools showcased the diversity of India with classical, fusion, folk as well as Bollywood dances. Indian delicacies served after the event were enjoyed by all.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
In these three photos above, girls from the Stamford chapter of Hindi USA are performing the Deepvandana stotram in dance form at GOPIO- CT's annual Diwali celebration in collaboration with the Stamford Mayor's multicultural council and the Ferguson library. In Hindu Sanatan Dharma, the tradition of lighting a lamp in the early morning hours and in the evening at sunset is more than 5000 years old. Any auspicious occasion, be it a festival, a wedding or a puja, is initiated with the lighting of a lamp. Diwali or Deepawali (meaning row of deeps/diyas little lamps) is celebrated by lighting little diyas or lamps as it falls on New moon day, to remove the darkness, representing victory of light of knowledge over the darkness of ignorance. Fire from a diya symbolizes purity and enlightenment.
The dancers pictured above include: Chandrala Kulkarni, Saanvi Kulkarni, Shreya Perinkulam, Saesha Gianchandani, Ishika Rao, Ipsika Bokka, Hansika Janna
The event was a culmination of the flawless team work between three organizations. Everyone came together to spend the afternoon immersed in the culture, heritage and colors of the Diwali, the festival of lights.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Fading Autumn Colors At Longshore
David and Jennifer, who live across Compo Road from the golf course enjoy the fading colors of autumn on a few trees still have their orange and rust colored leaves, as they stroll down the allée at Longshore with their Border Collie Mac and their Poodle-Aussie mix Ada.
Photo By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
Police: Missing Westport Teen is Found
Westport Police Press Release
The Westport Police Detective Bureau worked this case throughout the day on Sunday, following numerous tips that lead to New York City. Through the use of Law Enforcement sharing and social media platforms, The Westport Police Department was able to track Maxwell [redacted] to a New York City Library in the vicinity of Grand Central Station. Our Detectives ultimately reunited Maxwell with his family at approximately 5:00 PM. Westport Police want to thank the Public, our Law Enforcement Partners and the Media in assisting us to reunite this family.
UPDATE: LOCATED - Westport Searches for Missing Teenage Boy; Call Police with Any Info
Westport Police Department Press Release: On November 18, 2023, at approximately 3:30pm Westport Police responded to a report of a missing 15-year-old juvenile from the Newman’s Preservatory Trail off 307-309 Bayberry Lane. [personal information redacted]
Maxwell is a Caucasian male, approximately 5’7” tall, 125 pounds, with long brown surfer style haircut. Last seen wearing navy blue shorts and a navy-blue sweatshirt
Maxwell has been entered as a Missing Person.
Anyone with information that can help locate Maxwell is urged to call the Westport Police Department at 203-341-6000.
A photograph of Maxwell is attached