Diwali, the festival of lights, arrived early at Bucknell this year. While it was celebrated across the United States on Oct. 20, the South Asian community gathered on Oct. 18 thanks to the kindness and generosity of Dr. Meenakshi Ponnuswami. What unfolded that evening was more than a festival; it was a reminder of home, of shared laughter and of how belonging can take root even thousands of miles away from where it first began.
For years, Dr. Ponnuswami, Associate Professor of English and affiliated faculty in Critical Black Studies and Theatre and Dance, has been the heart of the South Asian community on campus. Through her warmth, sincerity and tireless devotion, she has created a home where everyone feels welcome. Her events are never limited to one group; they are open to anyone curious to learn, to celebrate and to connect. Whether South Asian or not, students find in her gatherings a sense of inclusion that transcends culture and faith.
What makes her work so extraordinary is how deeply she personalizes every gesture. She remembers names, stories and homes left behind. She checks in with students, ensuring they feel supported in moments when the distance from family feels sharpest. For many first-year students, her Diwali celebration becomes their first true reminder that kindness exists here too, that warmth can be found even in new beginnings.
Whether hosting Diwali dinners, organizing potlucks or recently bringing British Pakistani comedian Shazia Mirza to campus, Dr. Ponnuswami transforms every event into an experience of joy and connection. Her gatherings are not just about tradition; they are about understanding, about inviting others to witness and share in what makes each culture vibrant and alive.
This year’s Diwali radiated that spirit in every way. The soft glow of lamps, the aroma of familiar food and the hum of conversation filled the air with both nostalgia and belonging. For many, it was a moment that bridged continents, a reminder that culture, when shared, becomes a gift rather than a distance.
Dr. Ponnuswami’s efforts remind everyone that community is not a coincidence; it is an act of care. Her generosity transforms what could be isolating into something beautiful and collective. Through her open doors, she teaches that inclusion begins not with words but with presence, with making space for others to be seen, heard and celebrated.
Diwali at Bucknell this year was radiant, not because of grandeur but because of love; love for culture, for memory and for one another. Thanks to Dr. Ponnuswami, the night became a homecoming for all who gathered, a moment where the light of tradition met the warmth of community and everyone, no matter where they came from, felt they belonged.
