Given the backgrounds of the members of Leicester Novus Rotary, it is not surprising that each year we try to celebrate Diwali well.
Thirty-five members and guests enjoyed a Diwali Dinner at Mirch Masala, the restaurant just off The Golden Mile, the epicentre of Leicester’s huge Diwali celebrations, owned by Past President Pradeep Popat and his wife Nisha.
Guest Roger Neuberg, a member of the Rotary Club of Oadby had raised huge sums of money to buy a fleet of 32 e-Ranger motorcycle ambulances in the Mbale region of Uganda. The roads there — where they exist — can best be described as rugged. Roger spoke about the scheme and the 2,138 life-saving missions the bike bought by Novus Rotary had fulfilled. Understandably, the machines now require funds for maintenance and repairs so they can continue to save lives — often of mothers to be.
Between three delicious courses, Nisha invited guests to use coloured sands to fill in a traditional rangoli pattern.
She also outlined the Hindu legend of the escape of Rama and Sita from the evil King Ravana and their return to Ayodyha. Past President Kartar Singh Bring related the Sikh story of how, during Diwali , the sixth Sikh guru. Hargobind Ji, won the release from captivity of 53 Hindu Rajas (kings) from the Gwalior Fort.
In thanking everyone who attended and who had contributed to the successful evening, President Jim Matthews mentioned that Diwali was also celebrated by Jains as the time that Lord Mahavira attained Moksha, or enlightenment. Jim said that Jews celebrate their own festival of light — Hannukkah — marking the rededication of the second temple at BC 168. Soon after that festival each year, Jim said, Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus who referred to himself as the Light of the World.
The evening concluded with the traditional toast to “Rotary Fellowship and Peace The World Over”.
A raffle raised £174 to add to the the £8 per head from the cost of the meal. Pradeep and Nisha very generously added a further 10 per cent extra. Novus still needs to raise a couple of hundred pounds more to restore its motorcycle to tip-top condition.
For more details about the e-Ranger scheme, please follow this link
Last edited: 17:40 on Friday, 10/11/2023
