By Philip Mathew
Bengaluru, Oct. 29, 2018: Some 400 children living in foster homes in Bengaluru on October 28 celebrated Deepavali, the festival of lights.
The event, organized by the Dream India Network (DIN) was attended by its supporters and members of Hindu, Christian, Muslim and Sikh religions.
The foster homes are initiated by DIN and managed by Catholic nuns belonging to different religious congregations in and around Bengaluru, the capital city of Karnataka.
Speaking at a public meeting, Salesian Father Edward Thomas, adviser and founder of DIN, said that many children, living in foster homes located in the premises of convents, are Hindus. These children are encouraged to go to temples to worship and the sisters make sure that they accompany them to the temples.
The Deepavali or Diwali celebrations comprised sports, games, cultural programs, celebration of lights and dinner.
Among those who spoke at the meeting was a Hindu religious leader Nirmalanandanatha, head of Adichunchanagiri Math in Karnataka.