Candles, colorful lights, Indian national dishes and sweets: Indian future doctors celebrated the Festival of lights, Diwali. This year the event was held in the YSMU student dormitory.
The holiday symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and the victory of good over evil. The word “Diwali” literally means “string of lamps”. The name of the holiday already suggests the way to celebrate the day, so the participants of the celebration light up and decorate their houses with lanterns, flowers, candles and electric colored lamps.
Every year in India and everywhere in the world, Diwali is accompanied by magnificent celebrations, but this year YSMU Indian students, expressing their support for the Armenian people in this difficult situation, refrained from fireworks, and all those present at the event observed a minute of silence in memory of the Armenians who died for the defense of the Motherland.
Armen Muradyan, Rector of Yerevan State Medical University named after Mkhitar Heratsi, said that it was a great honor for him to celebrate the Indian national holiday with future doctors, to admire their young talent. “I am sure that in your country, in your centuries-old and multi-layered culture, the light is education, art, philanthropy. We have a lot in common, and be sure that the culture of our country, our traditions have the same foundation. The light is important for every person who values his family, his child, his country. In today's very complicated world, your generation confirms once again that it strives for the light. I want there to be light in your families, in your country. I want there to be light all over the world,” wished the head of the Medical University.
According to him, the beautiful tradition of Diwali once again prompts and forces to appreciate everything related to light. “I am sure that you will take a little light from this country with you to enlighten through education and culture. And thank you for bringing a part of your country, your Homeland to our country. On behalf of the University and myself, I sincerily congratulate each of you,” concluded Armen Muradyan.
Yervand Sahakyan, Vice-Rector for External Affairs and International Partnerships, said: “Diwali is a very beautiful holiday. You make everything beautiful with your lights. I want each of you to enlighten your homeland and family”.
Gayane Avetisyan, Head of the Dean's Office of International Students, stressed: “You are a member of a big family called Yerevan State Medical University. We try to make the university a real home for you, a home where you will receive an education, acquiring one of the most important and respected professions in the world – the profession of a doctor. As your dean and “second mother”, I wish that the lights of Diwali remove darkness from your lives and your families' lives, bringing health, happiness and prosperity”.
Consul Manoranjan Sahu, Attaché of the Embassy of India in Armenia, also congratulated the students: “It is a great honor and joy for me to celebrate the holiday with you – in the environment of future doctors.”
YSMU Student Parliament President Tigran Aleksanyan wished: “I want all of us to be surrounded by light and guided by it.”