Shedding Light On Deepavali … Diwali
Things To Do This Deepavali 2021 In Singapore
Look at the Deepavali light up at Little India
This year, Deepavali falls on 4 November 2021 in Singapore. Deepavali – or Diwali – is the festival of lights celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains around the world. Here are some activities to participate in and things to do this Deepavali 2021.
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Little India is one of the best places to pop by to get a taste of the festive spirit. Watch decorative lights brighten the streets of Little India as you take a walk down Serangoon and Race Course roads to take in the iconic lights and decorations.
The light-up start at 7 pm. The main Light Up motif is located near Campbell Lane and it features the main design with peacocks and the text “Deepavali, Festival Of Lights.” Do take note that it is expected to be crowded though.
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Deepavali
Photo by Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association (LISHA)
As one of the major cultural festivals in Singapore, Deepavali (also known as “Diwali” or the “Festival of Lights”) is a celebration that marks the triumph of good over evil.
It’s when thousands of Hindu families in the city—and across the world—transform their homes into beacons of light, exchange gifts, share feasts and perform pooja (prayers) to deities such as Lakshmi, the goddess of fertility and prosperity.
Netizens outraged after F45 fitness studio posts racially insensitive video of two women shaking their heads side to side, while saying “Happy Deepavali”
A video circulating online of two women at F45 Fitness Studio in Serangoon Garden has made its way around the internet, drawing the ire of netizens for being insensitive.
The fitness studio, which is part of a chain, uploaded a 14-second Instagram Story – which has since been taken down – featuring two women on Thursday (Nov 4). In the clip, the two women, presumably members of the studio, could be seen shaking their heads side to side vigorously, while saying “Happy Deepavali”.
Other voices can be heard laughing in the background. Whilst doing the head movement, one of the women said: “My head/hair cannot turn”. The head bobble or Indian head shake derogatorily refers to a common gesture found in South Asian cultures, most notably in India.
F45 fitness studio in Serangoon Garden apologises for ‘racially insensitive’ Deepavali video
A screengrab from a viral video showing two women at F45 Training fitness studio in Serangoon Garden South, shaking their heads from side to side while saying "Happy Deepavali". (Screengrab: Facebook/Wake Up, Singapore)
A fitness studio in Serangoon Garden apologised on Friday (Nov 5) for a “racially insensitive” Deepavali video that was posted on its Instagram account.
The studio, which is part of the F45 Training franchise based in the United States, posted a 14-second video on its Instagram story, where two women were seen shaking their heads from side to side while saying “Happy Deepavali”.
The video, which has since been deleted from the studio’s page, was widely circulated after it was reposted on other accounts.
Ladies Shake Their Heads In ‘Deepavali Greeting’, Gym Apologises For Racially Insensitive Clip
As Singapore celebrated Deepavali this Thursday (4 Nov), many prominent figures and institutions took to social media to extend festive greetings.
While these were posted with good intentions, 1 such greeting has come under serious scrutiny.
In an Instagram Story post by F45 Serangoon Garden South, 2 ladies were seen shaking their heads while saying “Happy Deepavali”.
related: Egg Allegedly Thrown At Family Celebrating Deepavali In Hougang, They Decline To File Police Report
Hougang resident allegedly throws egg at family playing sparklers on Deepavali
Egg thrown from upstairs
Many families in Singapore celebrated Deepavali on Nov. 4. Sadly, not everyone had an entirely joyous celebration.
A Mothership reader shared that he was playing with sparklers with his niece and siblings outside of their house located on the first floor of a Hougang HDB flat when an egg was allegedly thrown from upstairs. The incident happened around 8pm last night (Nov. 4).
Fortunately, no one was physically hurt. However, he noted that their clothes were splattered with a bit of the egg and that "the intention was there". When asked if they took any action, the reader said that that they tried to find the culprit, but did not bother to do so after a while. Mothership understands that the family didn't make a police report either.
The Indian Head Wobble
The head bobble, head wobble, or Indian head shake refers to a common gesture found in South Asian cultures, most notably in India. The motion usually consists of a side-to-side tilting of the head in arcs along the coronal plane. A form of nonverbal communication, it may mean yes, good, maybe, ok, or I understand, depending on the context
In India, a head bobble can have a variety of different meanings. Most frequently it means yes, or is used to indicate understanding. The meaning of the head bobble depends on the context of the conversation or encounter. It can serve as an alternative to thank you, as a polite introduction, or it can represent acknowledgement.
Head bobbles can also be used in an intentionally vague manner. An unenthusiastic head bobble can be a polite way of declining something without saying no directly. The gesture is common throughout India. However, it is used more frequently in South India and Sri Lanka.
