Galway Diwali festival calls for world peace

Galway's Indian community celebrated "light over darkness" at its annual Diwali festival at the weekend, when a tribute was paid to former participant Savita Halappanavar.

Ms Halappanavar, the 31-year-old dentist whose death in University College Hospital Galway three years ago sparked a debate on the State's abortion laws, was a leading member of the Indian community in the city.

She had been very involved in organising Diwali,the Hindu festival of lights, annually celebrated in the city.

"Savita was a very active part of this, and she used to teach dancing to the children," Galway's Indian Cultural and Sports Community vice-chair Rao Rapolu said.

“We had a small tribute to her ourselves and took part in a vigil in Eyre Square on the third anniversary of her death last month,” Mr Rapolu said.

"Our event is focused on world peace, but we are all also remembering her here this evening," he said, and the community's thoughts were also with Ms Halappanavar's husband Praveen, who is working with his Galway employer Boston Scientific in the US.

Bollywood-style dancing, music, games and food were highlights of the event, associated with the traditional lighting of oil diyas or clay lamps around the house in the hour of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

About 400 members of both the Indian and wider Galway communities attended the festivities in NUI Galway.

Minister of State for Equality Aodhán Ó Riordáín, who was guest of honour, spoke of the timely importance of “light overcoming darkness”, given Friday night’s attacks in Paris.