Need to know
For #TeamEEAST Last updated: 18 May 2024 at 12:33
Today (24th October), sees the return of the Hindu festival Diwali.
Diwali is also known as the Festival of Lights, and is recognised all over the world, with communities already beginning their celebrations.
The festival originated in India as a celebration of light, in fact the word Diwali comes from ‘deepavali’ meaning row of lamps. It is traditionally celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs, although over the years it has been incorporated into many different cultures around the world.
It is known as the Festival of Lights because in celebration people light many small clay lamps called ‘iyas’ around their homes to represent the victory of good over evil and to invite good luck and prosperity from the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi and the God Ganesh, who represents good luck, wealth and enlightenment.
Diwali is celebrated with families and friends and involves sharing of a range of traditional food, gifts followed by a firework displays and the lighting of candles and diyas.
This means that as an ambulance service, we could potentially treat patients presenting with injuries similar to those on Fireworks night.
The Equality Diversity Inclusion Team and the Multi-Faith Network would like to wish everyone at EEAST a very happy Diwali!
Published 24th October 2022