The Indian Student Association re-established a campus presence earlier this month, holding a dinner and dance party on Nov. 10 to celebrate Diwali.

The event drew more than 300 attendees to the student centre, including UWindsor president Robert Gordon and Clinton Beckford, vice-president, people, equity, and inclusion.

“The festival of lights, Diwali symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and is traditionally celebrated with family,” says computer science student Karm Joshi, a member of the association’s executive. “We intended to recreate a home-like environment on campus for all the international students on campus.”

The club will promote Indian culture but reflect a vision of the world as “one big family,” Joshi says.

“Our philosophy encourages us to be respectful and peaceful towards all members of this global family,” he says.