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Deepavali aka Diwali 2025

Deepavali aka Diwali
Cleveland City Hall
October 22, 2025

FICA is an organization dedicated to serving the needs of the Asian Indian Community in Northeast Ohio. They hosted a celebration of Diwali in the Rotunda of Cleveland City Hall on October 22, 2025.

Chia-Min Chen, Asian Liaison for the City of Cleveland, welcomed the crowd.

Chia-Min Chen

Chia-Min Chen

She then turned it over to Bhavin Patel who served as the MC.

Bhavin Patel

Bhavin Patel

Next, FICA president Shekhar Ganore spoke about FICA and Diwali.

Shekhar Ganore

Shekhar Ganore

Shekhar Ganore

Then FICA Board Chair Sudarshan Sathe gave his remarks about Deepavali.

Sudarshan Sathe

Sudarshan Sathe

A group then ceremonially lit the lamps.

Lighting the lamps for Diwali

Lighting the lamps for Diwali

Shekhar Ganore

Shekhar Ganore

Next the national anthem of the USA was led by Medha Lalit Iyer and Anika Rao.

the national anthem of the USA was led by Medha Lalit Iyer and Anika Rao

Medha Lalit Iyer and Anika Rao

The national anthem of India was led by Medha Lalit Iyer and Lalit Subramanian.

Medha Lalit Iyer and Lalit Subramanian

Medha Lalit Iyer and Lalit Subramanian

Cleveland Community Relations Board Director Angela Shute-Woodson presented a proclamation from Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb.

Angela Shute-Woodson

Angela Shute-Woodson

Chia, Shekar and Angela Shute-Woodson

proclamation from Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb

President Ganore and Chair Sathe presented an award to Margaret W. Wong who then gave her thanks and remarks.

Bhavin Patel and Margaret W. Wong

Bhavin Patel and Margaret W. Wong

Sudarshan Sathe, Shekhar Ganore and Margaret Wong

Sudarshan Sathe, Shekhar Ganore and Margaret Wong

Margaret Wong

Sudarshan Sathe, Shekhar Ganore, Bhavin Patel and Margaret Wong

Chia-Min Chen was also thanked for securing the Rotunda for the event.

Chia-Min Chen, Shekhar Ganore and Bhavin Patel

Chia-Min Chen, Shekhar Ganore and Bhavin Patel

Watch a video of the above.

There was also entertainment. Lalit Subramanian & Medha Lalit Iyer sang "Mile Sur Mera Tumhara." Watch.

Medha Lalit Iyer and Lalit Subramanian

Medha Lalit Iyer and Lalit Subramanian

Then, Lalit Subramanian sang "Nirmohiya." Watch.

Lalit Subramanian

Lalit Subramanian

Then, Madhu Gargesha, Pavana Lalit, Ramya Ramadurai, and Deepa Rao performed "Happy Diwali songs" Watch.

Deepa Rao, Madhu Gargesha, Pavana Lalit and Ramya Ramadurai,

Deepa Rao, Madhu Gargesha, Pavana Lalit and Ramya Ramadurai

The final performance before dinner was by Sweta Balaji, a student of Guru Smt. Sujatha Srinivasan who performed Shri Kala Mandir. Watch.

Sweta Balaji

Sweta Balaji

Dinner was from Honest.

Honest chefs

Here are some other images from the 2025 FICA Deepavali celebration at City Hall.

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