Bal Vihar of St. Louis Illuminating Diwali – Building a Spectacular Cultural Celebration of the Festival of Lights

HI INDIA NEWS DESK
ST LOUIS, MO- Bal Vihar of St. Louis takes immense pride in its commitment to giving back to the community and assisting those who are less fortunate. Among its noteworthy annual community events, CANStruction stands out. This year, Bal Vihar once again joined forces with the Magic House of St. Louis to create their distinctive mural crafted entirely from food cans. On the evening of November 5th, the youth students of Bal Vihar gathered to construct a captivating representation of “Diwali,” the festival of lights.

Diwali is celebrated throughout India and by Indians worldwide, symbolizing the transition from darkness to light. This year’s mural, composed of 1800 food cans, spells out the word “DIWALI.” The mural stands at an impressive 4 feet in height, set against a backdrop adorned with lamps and flowers.

CANStruction offered a valuable opportunity for approximately 30 teenagers to engage in three distinct stations. They collaborated to assemble the mural using cans, contributed to the artistic backdrop, and engaged in a group discussion addressing the growing issue of fake news and scams. During these discussions, the students delved into the importance of distinguishing between authentic and deceptive information while navigating the internet. It was an enriching evening that allowed them to showcase their creative talents, participate in meaningful discussions, and depart with a sense of fulfillment from contributing to a charitable cause. The structure remained on display until November 19, 2023, at the Emerson Education Center at the Magic House in St. Louis, MO. All the cans used in the construction will be donated to Operations Food Search, a local St. Louis food bank that will distribute them to those in need.

Bal Vihar’s young members have been actively serving the Greater St. Louis community through their various outreach efforts and collaborate enthusiastically with other interfaith groups to raise awareness of cultural and religious diversity. In today’s world, embracing diversity and promoting inclusivity is paramount for the youth, as it paves the way for a brighter and more harmonious future. Leading these community service initiatives is Shoba Shekar, with unwavering support from the organization’s leadership, under the guidance of President Dr. Sudhir Brahmbhatt.

About Bal Vihar
Center for Indian Cultural Education – Bal Vihar of St. Louis is a cultural school designed to promote, instill, and foster Indian culture in children ages 5 to 18. Bal Vihar encourages the youth group (ages 13 and above) to participate in activities that promote respect and understanding of different cultures and religion. Bal Vihar has been in existence since 1992 and its current enrollment is over 300 students. Visit www.balvihar-stlouis.com for more information about Bal Vihar.