EVENT: Celebrate Diwali 2024 in-person or online – November 19 – Register now

UCB Indian Dancers

Celebrate Diwali or “festival of lights” on Tuesday November 19, 2024, with UC Office of the President Asian Pacific Islander Association (APISA). Register now.

Event Overview

  • UC Office of the President Diwali Celebration  
  • Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, 2 – 4 p.m. (Zoom event from 2-3 p.m.)  
  • Host: UC Office of the President Asian Pacific Islander Staff Association (A.P.I.S.A.)
  • Featured ceremony/entertainment includes diya lighting, henna art, a traditional Indian dance performance by Nakazat, a UC Berkeley Indian dance group, as well as Indian singing by a member of the UC Office of the President community, delicious Indian tea snacks and more.
  • In-person (for UC Office of the President employees) or online (all are welcome)

Event Description

Please join the UC Office of the President Asian Pacific Islander Staff Association team in celebrating this joyous occasion at UC Office of the President with shared stories, and an Indian dance performance, a professional singing performance, henna art, along with delicious Indian treats — both savory and sweet. We know you will enjoy the music, art, conversation and more.   

Colleagues are welcome to attend in South Asian/Indian attire.  

The event will feature henna art, UC Berkeley Indian dance performers and a professional singing performance as well.

Agenda:  

2-4 pm – Reception, with food, dance, and a hand-selected Indian music playlist (using digital wallpaper) henna and rangoli art, delicious Indian savory snacks (samosas/pakoras) and favorite sweets by the Diwali planning committee  

2:30-2:35 p.m. – Welcoming words – Laurel Skurko, Sushant Prasaad, with Diwali reflections shared by Krishna Roy, IT Services, UC Office of the President

2:35-2:45 p.m.  – Diya Lighting and Indian song – Asian Pacific Islander Staff Association (A P I S A), UC Office of the President leadership, including Barbara Hui, California Digital Library, UC Office of the President. After the candle lighting, a UC Office of the President colleague family member will perform a traditional Indian song.

2:45- 3 p.m. – Indian dance performance by UC Berkeley dancers, “Nazakat”, learn a dance and head back for tea and conversation.

3 – 4 pm – Special opportunity to socialize with music, dance, food, and henna art. Learn more about your colleagues through each of these elements. We look forward to hearing your reflections and simply having a great time together.

UCOP Diwali 2024 Planning Committee:   

Event co-chairs   

Barbara Hui, senior applications programmer, UC Office of the President  

Shirley Bittlingmeier, client services officer, UC Office of the President  

Event organizers

Sushant Prasad, solutions architect AWS Cloud. UC Office of the  President 

Laurel Skurko, marketing and communications, UC Office of the President 

APISA Sponsors

Nathan Brostrom, executive vice president and chief financial officer for the University of California

Yvette Gullatt, vice president for graduate and undergraduate affairs; vice provost for equity, diversity and inclusion; and chief diversity officer, University of California 

Event Flyer

Image of Diwali Flyer

COVID Testing Requirements for in-person events at UCOP

UCOP Guest Covid Testing Protocol