Gravesend Community Celebrates Diwali with Joy and Togetherness

Gravesend came alive with colour, music, and celebration on Friday 14th November as the community gathered to mark Diwali, the Festival of Lights. The event was organised by the Kent Equality Cohesion Council (KECC) in partnership with Cohesion Plus, and placed a special emphasis on engaging residents aged 65 and over.

The celebration featured an exciting line-up of performances, including live music from Replay Music, energetic routines by the 4×4 Bhangra Group, and powerful drumming from the Kings of Dhol. The event aimed to bring people together to share in the spirit of Diwali while tackling issues of isolation among older members of the community.

Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL, CEO of the Kent Equality Cohesion Council, said:

“Diwali is a time to celebrate light, hope, and new beginnings, and it was heartwarming to see our community come together in that spirit. Events like this are so important, particularly for our older residents, many of whom have faced isolation in recent years. Providing opportunities for people to connect, celebrate, and feel valued is at the heart of what we do, and this event showed the real power of community cohesion in action.”

The Kent Equality Cohesion Council continues to work across North Kent to promote equality, foster positive community relations, and celebrate diversity and cohesion through inclusive events and activities.