Renowned TV personality and alumna Sangita Patel celebrates Diwali
This Sunday, November 12, people around the world will gather to celebrate Diwali. Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali takes place on the darkest day of the lunar month, in accordance with the Hindu calendar. While traditions marking Diwali may vary, the coming together of family and friends to mark light over darkness is universal.
Recently, we caught up with Toronto Metropolitan University alumna and a 2022 recipient of an Alumni Achievement Award, Sangita Patel, who shared in her own words how family and friends light up her life.
Sangita is an engineer turned television personality, and was a co-host of ET Canada where she interviewed many of the biggest stars from around the globe. In 2019, Sangita was named COVERGIRL’s first Canadian South Asian ambassador and spokesperson, and she was featured in Vogue India as one of the 50 Most Influential Global South Asians. A devoted mom of two, Sangita has a passion for giving back to her community, from delivering food to frontline workers during the pandemic to hosting national fundraisers for charitable causes.
Photo caption: Sangita wears a design by TMU alumna Mani Jassal (Bachelor of Design ’13), whose eponymous fashion label melds Mani’s South Asian heritage with her Canadian upbringing. Photo courtesy of Mani Jassal design.
How do you celebrate Diwali?
Diwali is all about spending time with family and friends. It’s a time to count your blessings while eating the most delicious food and dessert!
You often post nutritious and delicious recipes on your Instagram. Do you have a favourite Diwali dish that you've hacked to be more health-conscious?
Ha! On Diwali, I just go for it! Nothing beats home cooking made by my mom and aunties. Enjoy the day and get back at it the next day!
Complete this sentence: Diwali would not be complete without _____.
Family, straight up! Life gets busy, and we’re not always able to connect with extended family. This is a moment where you take a beat and make sure you see each other.
The word Diwali is Sanskrit for row of lights. Fireworks represent the victory of light over darkness, as do lit candles and lamps. Photo credit: Anirudh
Check out how other members of our alumni and friends community celebrate Diwali, such as business leader and alumni representative on the TMU Board of Governors Neel Chauhan, The Honourable Ratna Omidvar, TMU honorary doctorate and Senator of Canada, and Bala Venkatesh, founding academic director of TMU’s Centre for Urban Energy.
Throughout the year, we honour the celebrations that our alumni observe. Want to share your unique holiday traditions? (google form) Let us know! (external link)