It is the Superstar among Indian festivals. This year we check out what the rich and famous Indian Americans prefer to do during Diwali. Do they prefer it to be a family affair or a social one?

It is the true blockbuster among Indian festivals. There is something in it for everybody – young or old, rich or poor, man or woman. It is not just about fun and frolic but also about sharing, giving and receiving gifts, community service and much more. For, Diwali is truly a Festival of Lights – a festival that encourages all to spread the light of love and friendship.

Small wonder then that Diwali is the Superstar among Indian festivals – celebrated not just in India but also across Indian communities throughout the Diaspora. The festival epitomizes the victorious return of Lord Rama and his consort Sita to their kingdom Ayodhya after the victory of demon King Ravana. However, today more than the myth associated behind it, Diwali has become an occasion to celebrate community living.

With this year’s celebrations just round the corner, Desi Match decided to speak to some of eminent Indians in the United States to check out what they do during Diwali and what makes the festival so special, especially outside their homeland.

Prominent Indian American leader and New Jersey-based allergy and asthma specialist Dr. Sudhir Parikh and his wife Dr. Sudha Parikh make no bones about the fact that they wait eagerly for Diwali. “We’ve been celebrating Diwali ever since we landed here in 1974. It’s fun and a great festival we all look forward to. Party, rituals and gifts make it unique. Every year we celebrate it with style. Either we host a party or some one in our friend circle will be hosting it. Or we may decide to go to some famous restaurants in and around NY and NJ,” he told Desi Match.

However, it is not all about having fun, as Silicon Valley guru and Chairman of Ensim Corp. Kanwal Rekhi says though he has lost touch with Indian festivals since his arrival to United States about four decades ago, he does get together with friends during Diwali. Rekhi believes that Diwali used to be a family festival in India, but has become a social outing in the US. “For me, I prefer to have family and friends around with good food to boot. Of course, we usually wind it up with ‘Teen Patti’ (a card game).

So, has the festival lost its religious touch? “Of course not,” says Rao Remala, the first Indian employee of Microsoft Corporation. “We do not do any big celebration other than doing Puja at home. And our community event is usually restricted to some school function,” he says and believes that there are enough Indians in the United States to help him feel at home. “Of course, we cannot celebrate it as big as Fourth of July,” he says with a grin.

And how does it feel to be celebrating your first Diwali after marriage? “Nothing special, though one feels one has a partner in all that one does,” says Satveer Chaudhary, the first Asian Indian Senator in American history and currently Minnesota’s youngest Senator. Chaudhary says he celebrates Diwali every year and the events include a gala evening that has music, skits, dance and other performances. “However, I believe that it is first and foremost a family event, with prayers to Lord Ram. The social event status for celebrating Diwali as a community is a perfect addition to the Indian Diaspora,” he adds.

The Ambassador-at- large, Bhishma Kumar Agnihotri and his family will participate in a community event and he will push off for an official trip soon after. As people’s ambassador, he spends more time meeting people and ensuring that their welfare is taken care of. A great believer in Hindu dharma and a Sanskrit scholar himself, Agnihotri believes all Hindu festivals bring in cheer and happiness to the human beings. But Diwali is special as it signifies the victory of good over the evil, he says.

The FIA (Tri-State) president Jagdish Patel and Nayna Patel have decided to spend the Diwali with community leaders and friends. “We celebrate Diwali every year. It’s fun when you have friends and family around,” he says with a smile. Of course, one will see them spearheading the Diwali celebrations at the Swaminarayan temple.