Connecticut State Community College (CT State) Middlesex hosted a Diwali holiday celebration on November 7 in collaboration with the Sri Satyanarayana Swamy Temple and the city of Middletown. The event took place in Chapman Hall on the Middletown campus.

“Celebrating here, with our community partners, is a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come, and how much light we can continue to spread together,” said Nutan Mishra, Ph.D., Middlesex professor and coordinator of the event.

Guest speaker Rajeev Pahuja of Hamden, Conn., has advocated since 2008 for the Hindu holiday to be recognized as a state holiday. In June 2025, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed SB 1519 into law, making Connecticut only the second state, after Pennsylvania, to include Diwali in statute. The law, passed unanimously by the legislature, helps ensure religious accommodations for Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains observing the holiday.

“This year’s holiday is especially meaningful as we bring together our shared inclusive values and the cultural heritage of the state,” said Pahuja, who received a multimedia certificate from Middlesex in 2017. “Diwali is a time for us to serve others and build each other up.”

The celebration, also known as the Festival of Lights, featured the lighting of the diya, the city of Middletown proclamation recognizing Diwali, authentic cuisine from Haveli India restaurant, and performances of Bharatnatyam and Bhangra dances.

Sreekanth Nelakudity, president of the Sri Satyanarayana Swamy Temple in Middletown, joined Pahuja and CT State Middlesex Campus President Joshua Moon-Johnson, Ed.D., to welcome attendees and share insights into the meaning and traditions of Diwali.

“Diwali is a time to connect people together and strengthen the bond that makes our community special,” said Nelakudity.

Jocelyn Martin, a CT State Manchester criminal justice student, traveled from Hebron, Conn., to the Middlesex campus to learn about the holiday.

“It’s interesting to know more about different cultures and learn about different practices and religions,” said Martin. “I wasn’t really aware of the holiday until I saw the event listed online.”

Newly-elected Middletown Mayor Gene Nocera also attended, along with Maria Scarlett from Middletown’s Anti-Racism Task Force and Chief of Police Erik Costa.

“Diwali has me reflecting on the beauty we see in the people, culture and wisdom here to help one another,” added Nocera. “We need our friends to light up the world for ourselves.”

State representatives Hilda Santiago (Meriden) and Savet Constantine (Wilton) also joined in the celebration.

“A partnership like this is what it’s all about,” said Campus President Moon-Johnson. “We’re learning to understand what it means to be a community as we begin building a wonderful relationship to help transform Middletown and Middlesex County.”

Founded in 1979, the Connecticut Valley Hindu Temple Society supports the religious, cultural and social needs of the Indian community across Connecticut and the Northeast. Its Sri Satyanarayana Temple, located at 11 Training Hill Road, Middletown, is built in traditional style to serve worshipers from many Hindu sects. The temple society also supports annual student scholarships awarded through CT State Middlesex’s Foundation.

Media Contact:
Thea Moritz, PR associate, CT State Middlesex