On Friday, Oct. 20, the Indian Undergraduate Association (IUA) celebrated ‘Diwal-o-ween’ in Walker Gym. Diwal-o-ween was a mashup between Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, and Halloween. At the event, students experienced facets of both Western and South Asian culture by painting pumpkins, playing carnival games, taking pictures at the photo booth, and getting henna tattoos. Students could win prizes like bath bombs, Nike socks, and a Swell water bottle by playing games such as bobbing for apples and a raffle.
There was a lot of Indian food, including samosas, spring rolls, paneer, butter chicken, biryani, salad, ras malai, and gulab jamun. IUA hosts this event every year, usually in November, as “Diwali Carnival,” but decided to change it up to “make it so more Stevens Students would come out!” explained Aroona Boodram, a senior in IUA. Boodram was at the event to dance, like many other members of IUA. Students from Rutgers, part of the Raas and Garba Association also came to perform at Diwal-o-ween. She added, “My favorite part was dancing… can’t believe it’s my last Diwali show.”
IUA meets every other Wednesday at 3 p.m. in BC 321.
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