Indian families in Wantage came together for their first group Diwali celebration, described by attendee Atul Chaudhari as an occasion marked by light, hope and togetherness.
The event took place at Wantage Silver Band Hall on Saturday, November 7, and was arranged by Indian Community in Wantage.
Every participating Indian family contributed to organising and running the evening, sharing a range of responsibilities.
Parents visiting from India received a special invitation to light diyas, or traditional lamps.
This provided a link with home for families marking the festival away from India and brought different generations together.
The programme featured singing, dancing, games, a communal meal and fireworks, with children and adults invited to display their talents and take part.
Tanya welcomed families and guided them through the celebration as host.
Kunal and his team handled the decorations, while Devisree and Nithii coordinated the performances.
Neha oversaw the games and encouraged wider participation.
Shifa and Roshni managed the catering arrangements, enabling families to share a meal.
Nishchay and Amandeep were responsible for the fireworks, and Abhishek and Vikas assisted with cleaning the hall and leaving the venue in good condition.
Chaudhari said the celebration represented a genuine community effort in which each family supported planning, decoration, performances, food and post-event tidying.
He expressed appreciation to everyone who contributed their time and energy and said the event demonstrated how the group had united and supported one another.
He also indicated a desire for the gathering to lead to further cultural celebrations in Wantage.
Organisers would welcome participants from other backgrounds, with the aim of presenting Indian traditions through music, dance, food and customs while strengthening ties with local neighbours.
Chaudhari said such events could help families maintain their connection with India while contributing to the community in which they now live, describing Wantage as their home.