It was a pleasure to support Deepotsav 2026, a wonderful Diwali celebration organized by Biharis in Vancouver (BIV) Society in Surrey, BC, on November 1, 2026.
I have been associated with BIV for the past few years and have witnessed this community growing stronger with every passing year. It is heartwarming to see how the society continues to bring people together while keeping our Indian culture and traditions alive here in Metro Vancouver.
A Special Honour – Paag & Gamchha
Receiving token of appreciation from Prabhat ji
One of the most memorable moments for me was being honoured with a traditional Paag and Gamchha by the BIV team.
Interestingly, I didn’t know much about Paag before this event! I learned that in the Maithili culture of Bihar, presenting someone with a Paag (traditional headgear) is a symbol of great respect and honour.
India is truly incredible in its cultural diversity. Even after all these years, there is so much to discover and learn about our own traditions!
An Evening Full of Celebrations
Deepotsav 2026 was filled with wonderful cultural performances, games, prizes, delicious food, and plenty of opportunities to meet and greet fellow community members.
The Sweet Tasting Game was very exciting especially when I was the sponsor of the game 🙂
The festive atmosphere, smiling faces, and enthusiasm of everyone made it a memorable evening. It was wonderful to see families and friends coming together to celebrate Diwali and enjoy each other’s company.
Posing for pictures at community events is very important, after all, what’s a celebration without beautiful outfits, happy faces, and countless memories captured on camera!
BIV Deepotsav has become one of those community events that people genuinely look forward to every year.
Happy Faces of BIV Volunteers after the event
Congratulations to the entire BIV team and volunteers for organizing another successful celebration. Thank you for the special honour and for everything you do to bring our community together.
Looking forward to many more celebrations together!