THOUSANDS FLOCK TO LEICESTER'S GOLDEN MILE FOR DIWALI FIREWORKS

From today's Leicester Mercury:

Thousands flock to Leicester's Golden Mile for Diwali fireworks 

Leicester's Golden Mile was alive with colour and excitement as thousands of people celebrated Diwali last night. 

Revellers packed Belgrave Road and Cossington Street recreation ground to enjoy drumming, dancing and an impressive firework and laser display. 

People travelled from all over to join in the celebrations. 

Heena Pathak, 44, of Rushey Mead, went along with husband Nitin, with both keen to see the fireworks. 

Heena said: "Even though I'm local, I've never come out in Leicester for Diwali, but this year instead of sitting at home we wanted to join in with the spirit of things. 

"We've celebrated at home with family, but we wanted to come here and be around lots of people and enjoy some food and drink." 

Jatinder and Nitin Patel, who live in Walsall, were returning to Leicester 20 years after they met as university students. 

Nitin, 40, said: "We wanted to come back and share this with our children so they learn a bit more about their culture and heritage because there's nothing like this where we live." 

Neelam Patel, 18, from Thorpe Astley, was celebrating with her 12-year-old sister Naomi and four-year-old brother Drew. 

She said: "I really like coming here to socialise and see the fireworks. 

"For me Diwali is about eating lots of yummy food, getting together with family and buying presents – it's just like Christmas." 

Suresh Sida, 43, who lives near Hinckley Road in Leicester, said: "It's great to come down and meet up with people and spend time with the family. 

"We've got friends coming here from Northampton because Leicester does Diwali so well." 

Councillor Piara Clair, chair of the city council's Diwali working party, said: "I am delighted we can share our Diwali day celebrations with people from far and wide as well as with many different communities right across the city." 

The Diwali events were organised by the city council and the Leicester Hindu Festival Council and sponsored by 02 for the first time this year. 

At Curve theatre, the festival was celebrated with an exhibition of vibrant sarees. 

The display of intricate garments was curated by family-run Belgrave Road business Anokhi House of Sarees. 

Set against a display of light projections, it shows how the colours and style of the saree has changed from 2,000 BC to today. 

Shop manager Karan Modha said: "I'm absolutely overwhelmed by the interest and very grateful for the opportunity to display our designs. 

"The beauty of the garment is that it fits everyone, and no matter who you are, when you wear it you feel like a million bucks. It's a piece of art."