Diwali

Diwali, also known as the festival of lights was celebrated by the Havering Asian Social and Welfare Association (HASWA) at their community centre Greenfields, Kilmartin Way, Elm Park, Essex on Saturday 28^th October 2017. Young and old came together for celebrations along with guests Mayor of Havering Councillor Dilip Patel with his wife Councillor Nisha Patel, Councillor Sally Miller, Rainham and Dagenham MP John Cruddas, Keith Prince AM, London Assembly Member for Havering & Redbridge and Colonel Markham Bryant DL MBE. 

Sansar Singh Narwal secretary of HASWA, said “events such as the Diwali celebration promote better cultural understanding of Havering’s rich and diverse community”.   Roop Johal, a member of HASWA raised awareness on the importance of BAME minorities becoming a stem cell donor as they only have 21% chance of finding donors internationally.  Her daughter aged 3 is fighting leukaemia and all the money raised at HASWA’s raffle will go towards her fund.  Entertainment was provided by the HASWA members, children dance groups and Veena Jain, Storm Vacademy and DJ RAVC. There was also a raffle, DJ, and authentic Indian cuisine.

Diwali, also known as the festival of lights was celebrated by the Havering Asian Social and Welfare Association (HASWA) at their community centre Greenfields, Kilmartin Way, Elm Park, Essex on Saturday 28^th October 2017. Young and old came together for celebrations along with guests Mayor of Havering Councillor Linda Van den Hende with Mr Laurence Chalk, Councillor Melvin Wallace and Colonel Markham Bryant DL MBE. 

People from all generations came together to celebrate Diwali at the HASWA centre with guest MP for Dagenham & Rainham Jon Cruddas, Deputy Mayor of Havering and Councillors Melvin Wallace, Stephanie Nunn and Barry Mugglestone. Mr Fauja Singh the 105 years old marathon runner made a guest appearance. The HASWA women’s, children and Bollywood groups provided the entertainment with DJ Surinder Tiwari. HASWA secretary Sansar Singh Narwal said: “Events as the Diwali celebration promote better cultural understanding of Havering’s rich and diverse community.”

Diwali, also known as the festival of lights was celebrated by the Havering Asian Social and Welfare Association (HASWA) at their community centre Greenfields, Kilmartin Way, Elm Park, Essex on Saturday 1st November 2014. People of all ages and backgrounds came together for celebrations along with guests MP for Hornchurch and Upminster Dame Angela Watkinson, MP for Dagenham & Rainham Jon Cruddas, the Mayor of Havering Councillor Linda Trew and Councillors Melvin Wallace and Stephanie Nunn. The guests delivered messages of goodwill to the community. Sansar Singh Narwal general secretary of HASWA, said events such as the Diwali celebration promote better cultural understanding of Havering’s rich and diverse community. Entertainment was provided through performances of Bollywood dancing, singing by the HASWA ladies group and a dance by the Little Ilford School highlighting Black History month.  There was also a raffle, DJ and authentic Indian cuisine.