ICF and COLIND organise Colind’s Diwali Ball 2023

• Indians in Colombo celebrate Gopal Baglay’s tenure as High Commissioner

COLIND (Colombo Indians) in association with ICF (Indian CEO Forum) organised their annual Diwali Ball at the Grand Marquee, Taj Samudra recently.

The start of the event was to celebrate the three and a half years of service of Gopal Baglay as High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka and the immense assistance he coordinated with the Government and the people of India to assist Sri Lanka at the time of need. The Indian associations GOPIO (Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin) and the SLIS (Sri Lanka India Society) joined the celebrations to honour and felicitate Gopal Baglay.

Ministers Manusha Nanayakkara and Suren Raghavan also felicitated Gopal Baglay and thanked him for his services and assistance to Sri Lanka from the Government of India.

Ministers, Members of Parliament, diplomats, Sri Lankans, and expats came together to express gratitude to Gopal Baglay and Madam Bina. They enjoyed an evening filled with vibrant Bollywood-style festivities featuring dance and music. The event was enriched with a diverse array of delicious Indian foods; live action counters offered street foods from across India, such as Pav Bhajjis and Bhathuras. The mouthwatering Indian cuisine, representing the authentic flavors unique to each region, delighted the guests who indulged in a feast of culinary delights. The annual Diwali Ball, organised by COLIND and ICF, is an unforgettable and thrilling event that lingers in the memories of those in Colombo for a long time. The carefully curated program aimed to immerse attendees in a traditional Indian celebration, featuring lively Bollywood music and energetic dancing. The graceful performers from the Dark Shine group captivated the audience, while DJ Ashok, specially flown in from India, and the band INIK kept everyone on the dance floor. The irresistible Bollywood beats drew participants of all ages, sizes, and nationalities to dance and revel until late.

The COLIND Diwali Ball 2023 marked the largest gathering, with over 600 Sri Lankans, Indians, and expats coming together to celebrate an Indian Mardi Gras experience in Colombo. The event exuded authentic Indian excitement, accompanied by an evening dedicated to acknowledging the services rendered by Gopal Baglay.