University of Leicester (UK) helps light up one of the world’s biggest Diwali celebrations outside India (Photos: University of Leicester)
Leicester hosted one of the world’s biggest Diwali celebrations outside India on November 8, bringing together an estimated 30,000 people for a day of lights, music, dance and cultural performances across the city’s famous Golden Mile.
In a press statement, the University of Leicester says that it sponsored this year’s Festival of Lights, reflecting its commitment to the city and its diverse communities. The university also marked Diwali on campus through a programme of activities, including making ‘rangoli’ designs and painting diyas or earthen lamps.
The spectacular Festival of Lights saw Leicester’s famous Golden Mile transformed as people from across the city gathered to celebrate Diwali
With Leicester’s South Asian heritage at the heart of the celebrations, the annual event brought together people from across the United Kingdom for cultural performances along Belgrave and Melton Roads.
The statement adds that Leicester’s public Diwali celebrations began in 1983, when the first lights were displayed along Belgrave Road. Over the decades, the event has grown into an internationally recognised celebration of the city’s South Asian heritage, attracting visitors from across the UK and beyond.
Professor Kamlesh Khunti
Among those attending this year’s celebrations was Professor Kamlesh Khunti, a leading diabetes expert at the University of Leicester, whose family originates from Gujarat in western India. Born in Uganda, Khunti spent part of his childhood in India before moving to the UK at the age of 10 and growing up in Leicester.
“Leicester is unquestionably my home. I grew up here, have spent most of my life here, and have worked in the city for more than 36 years,” adds Khunti.
“Being both British and South Asian has given me a deep appreciation of the unique relationship between Leicester and South Asia. Diwali is one of the clearest expressions of that bond. It brings together people from all backgrounds, cultures and faiths, creating a shared celebration that reflects the inclusive spirit of the city,” he said.
Joining Khunti at the celebrations were the university’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Nishan Canagarajah, and Pro-Chancellor for Community Engagement Dr Vijay Sharma. Students Dillany Jeyakumar and Raidah Haque from the university’s Bollywood Dance Society also performed at the event.
Peter Soulsby
Peter Soulsby, Mayor, Leicester City thanked the university for sponsoring the celebrations, describing Diwali as an important part of the city’s cultural calendar.
“Our Diwali celebrations are a hugely important part of Leicester’s cultural calendar and attract visitors from all over the UK and beyond. We are very grateful to the University of Leicester for their sponsorship of this year’s Diwali Day event, which was enjoyed by an estimated 30,000 people,” says Soulsby.
Beyond the celebrations, the university has also strengthened its academic and healthcare partnerships with India. A key initiative is its strategic partnership with Apollo Hospitals Group and the Apollo University, established in 2023. The collaboration has led to the creation of the Centre for Digital Health and Precision Medicine, with hubs in Leicester and Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh.
