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Temple City youth volunteers propose city Diwali festival; offer community service and cultural outreach
Summary
Members of the Hindu Sewa Samaj youth group described Diwali traditions, local food-drive work and proposed a Temple City Diwali Fest next year; the group said it will coordinate with city staff and offered sweets to council members in thanks.
Members of the Hindu Sewa Samaj (HSS) youth volunteer group presented to the Temple City City Council on Oct. 21, describing Diwali traditions and proposing a Temple City Diwali Fest for next year.
Avantika Varapali, a junior at Temple City High School, spoke for HSS and outlined Diwali’s cultural meaning — a festival of lights marked by cleaning, decorating, sharing sweets and community gatherings. Presenters said HSS chapters in Temple City and Arcadia have conducted Sava Diwali food drives since 2018 and have donated to local nonprofits including Foothills Community Center and Friends in Need.
HSS volunteers proposed an open community celebration in Temple City and said they would work with city staff to make the event possible. The group also offered traditional sweets to council members as a gesture of thanks. Council members responded positively and asked staff to follow up with the organizers and the city manager.
The presenters noted that California recently recognized Diwali as an official state holiday (cited in the presentation as AB 269) and framed a local festival as an inclusion effort that would invite residents of all backgrounds. No formal city action was requested during the meeting; staff said they would coordinate follow-up conversations with the organizers.
The proposal signals local community interest in a new cultural festival and in building partnerships between volunteer organizations and city staff.
