Coming Together for Diwali

Over 60 people came together to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, with an annual luncheon which was organized and enjoyed by the Benzinger, Ances, Gordon and Raji labs.

Diwali is a five-day “festival of lights” celebrating the triumph of light over dark and good over evil, and the blessings of victory, freedom and enlightenment. The holiday — celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists — gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) celebrants light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness. This is done during the height of the festival on day three (this year on Oct. 24).

A central component of Diwali is togetherness. Attendees were able to bond with their work families over an amazing Indian potluck buffet organized by clinical research coordinator Jayashree Rajamanickam, postdoc Saurabh Jindal, MD, and the lab DEI Committee.