For someone who is thousands of miles away from family, Diwali can be a most dreary occasion.
But not so for the MBA students of the Mason School of Business. The School has a strong international presence in its MBA student body, amounting to around 40 percent of the total class strength, of which 70 percent are from India.
In Indian tradition and culture, Diwali is represented as the Festival of Lights, as the celebration of the victory of good over evil, of light over darkness. Considering the dull and gray weather in the ‘burg over the preceding two days, the warmth and energy of Diwali proved to be a big draw, packing the beautiful Brinkley Commons with students, faculty, Executive Partners and guests.
The evening was one filled with dance, music, good Indian food and whole-hearted enjoyment. Diwali is traditionally a time to be with family and with friends. For the international students, there couldn’t have been a better occasion and a better way to celebrate the festival than with their classmates and their colleagues.
The Diwali celebration was organized by the MBA International Student Association at Mason. The event was a huge draw not only for the international student population at the school but also for their American counterparts, faculty and staff, giving everyone an insight into what makes their Indian colleagues break into song and dance at every festive occasion.
The student dances were boisterous, and the crowd equally obliging with whistles, catcalls and requests for repeat performances; one could see everyone tapping their feet and shaking their heads to the rhythm of the night.
At the Mason School, the faculty doesn’t just teach their students; they identify and empathize with them.
So if students were performing so brilliantly, could the faculty be left behind? The faculty’s performance can easily be described the most anticipated and was certainly among the most enjoyed events of the entire festivities.
The faculty made a clear effort to dress up in ethnic Indian garb, and their dance left everyone asking for more.
View photos of Mason’s Diwali Celebration on Flickr.
