UCLA Anderson’s student-led South Asian Business Association promotes familiarity and understanding of South Asian culture and traditions during their annual flagship event, the Diwali festival.

Diwali, or Deepavali, is the festival of lights that marks the victory of good over evil. It is celebrated every year in the fall, usually in the months of October and November in the northern hemisphere (spring in the southern hemisphere). While the festival lasts for five days, most people celebrate on the third day, which is marked by a puja (feast) and fireworks. For Hindu people, it is generally associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth.

Diwali is also celebrated outside of Hindu communities. On November 4, 2021, more than 400 domestic and international Anderson students celebrated the Diwali Festival together. UCLA Anderson’s North Terrace event space was decorated with a Diwali theme, traditional Indian food was served and members of SABA were dressed in traditional Indian attire. Celebrations started with the lighting of the diya (lamp) by Associate Dean Robert Weiler (’91), the Center for Global Management’s executive director Lucy Allard (’06) and Assistant Dean Jessica Luchenta. MBA and MSBA students in SABA performed a Bollywood dance showcase, while other activities included a mehndi (henna) hand tattoo stall and a photo booth.

From left to right: SABA members Richa Yadev (FTMBA ‘22), Shruti Pandey FTMBA ‘22), Shaavya Hatalker (Ally’22),, and Akshita Saxena (FTMBA ‘23), setting up the rangoli for Diwali.

Members of the 2021 – 2022 SABA board which includes students from the full-time MBA, MFE and MSBA programs.

SABA president, Tharun Boggala from the FTMBA Class of 2022, invites Rob Weiler, associate dean of the full-time MBA program to light the dia.

SABA VP of Events, Ankur Jain from the FTMBA Class of 2022 invites Lucy Allard from the CGM to light the dia.

Jessica Luchenta, assistant dean of full-time MBA student affairs is invited to light the dia.

First and second year full-time MBA students and SABA members perform a Bollywood dance.

SABA members from the MFE Class of 2022 who also performed a Bollywood dance. From left to right: Vincent Tang (MFE ‘22), Isabel Genghi (MFE ‘22), Shubham Singh (MFE ‘22), Camilla Schiaffino (MFE’22), Artima Leelapattaraphan (MFE’22), Qining Liu (MFE’22), Priyanshee Palriwala (MFE’22) and Sai Kartheek Sharvirala (MFE‘22).