One of the strengths of Hood College’s Graduate School is the diversity and inclusiveness of its community. People from many and varied backgrounds come together to celebrate a wide range of cultures and traditions. One such celebration was the recent Holi and Nepali New Year Celebration. Elyas Abubakr, Hood’s Primary Designated School Official and the staff member who coordinates such events, explains that “the recent Holi and Nepali New Year was a celebration of cross-cultures showcasing beautiful colors, food and exotic music and dance from India and Nepal.” Nepali New Year is based on a solar calendar, and the year 2075 coincides with the month of April with the coming of spring, bringing families, friends and the community together in thankful celebration. Holi is a global event celebrated on the Indian subcontinent, and brings alive a festival of colors to welcome spring.
Hood student leaders organized the event, and their heart is clearly in recognizing some of the unique cultures represented on campus. For Rinka Chatterjee this was the first event she helped organize and she looks forward to helping organize others. “By celebrating our own country’s event, international students don’t miss their family and friends who are miles away.” Chiranjibi Ghimire, a Hood student who has been involved with previous events, explains that “We, the Nepali students and community, are very happy and thankful to Hood College for sponsoring the Nepali New Year and Holi celebration event. All International students, think of Hood as a second home. We were missing the moments of celebrations back home, but Hood helps us remember.”
For both Rinka and Chiranjibi, the event was about more than traditional celebrations, but also about sharing their cultures and getting to celebrate with other members of the Hood community. Rinka believes that “the fun and the acceptance around this event not only came from our own Indian community friends, but the participation of friends from different countries too.” Chiranjibi agrees, saying “It is the opportunity to exchange the culture and promote the Nepali tourism among our American colleagues. Lots of Americans participated and enjoyed the Nepalese and Indian food. This is the one of the great takeaways after the events”
Elyas, Rinka, and Chiranjibi want to thank Hood College and Graduate School Dean April Boulton for hosting the celebration. As Elyas states, “Hood College is the proud sponsor of such events and will continue to be the privileged host for international students, and support and celebrate diversity. For Hood College international students, home is where they are.”
