Nicosia [Cyprus], November 11: The Presidential Palace of Cyprus celebrated Diwali for the first time in its history on November 9. Cyprus Glows: Diwali 2026 was organised by the Help2Live Charity Foundation, founded by Mr. Dipak Kumar, in collaboration with the High Commission of India in Cyprus, and hosted by H.E. President Nikos Christodoulides and First Lady Philippa Karsera. Here are the key moments from the evening.
1. A first for the Presidential Palace
Diwali had never been celebrated at the seat of the Cypriot presidency before. About 150 guests attended, including Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria, the Attorney General, ministers, members of parliament, diplomats, business leaders and members of the Indian community.
The idea came from Mr. Dipak Kumar, who has lived in Cyprus for more than two decades and has funded Help2Live entirely by himself since founding it 15 years ago. Opening the evening’s speeches, he thanked the President for opening the palace doors to the festival of lights, calling it a gift to every Indian who calls Cyprus home.
2. The #DiwaliHug is born
Mr. Dipak Kumar warmly embraced H.E. President Christodoulides, and that moment launched the #DiwaliHug.
The gesture reflects what Diwali stands for: the victory of light over darkness and the belief that what unites people is far greater than what divides them. A hug, like the light of a diya, makes no distinction of nationality, faith or language.
Mr. Dipak Kumar has invited people across Cyprus and the world to keep the festival’s spirit alive by hugging a loved one, a friend or a stranger, and sharing it with #DiwaliHug and a tag to @indiansincyprus. In a divided world, he says, it is a reminder that love will always prevail.
3. A name that means “lamp”
Mr. Dipak Kumar told guests his name means a diya in Sanskrit. “This is my relationship with Diwali,” he said. He set up Help2Live with one goal: to light a lamp wherever the darkness is deepest.
4. Fifteen years of Help2Live
He described the foundation’s work across Cyprus. Help2Live:
• supports orphaned children with care and education
• built a rooftop garden for cancer patients at the German Medical Institute
• visits elderly people in care homes
• delivered groceries and medicines during the pandemic
• has supported the families of fallen Cyprus Police officers for years
• sponsors youth football, volleyball and marathons
• funded an exhibition in Warsaw on Cyprus’s Holy Twelve Days of Christmas, with the Church of Cyprus and the Cyprus Police
“We cannot always add days to our life, but we believe we can add light to those days,” he said. He added that the foundation works hand in hand with other charities because “this was never about one name”.
5. €20,000 for two Cypriot causes
Immediately after his address, the host announced that Help2Live would donate €20,000: €10,000 to the Alkionides Foundation and €10,000 to Radiomarathon.
6. An appeal to Prime Minister Modi
Mr. Dipak Kumar called Cyprus an all-weather friend of India and compared the bond to the friendship of Krishna and Sudama. With folded hands, he appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to support Cyprus on electricity, direct flights and security. “India is the land that gave me birth, and Cyprus is the land that gave me purpose,” he said, closing with Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the world is one family.
7. The President thanks Mr. Dipak Kumar
H.E. President Christodoulides thanked Mr. Dipak Kumar for his support to the Cyprus Glows – Diwali event at the Presidential Palace of Cyprus. He said the evening showed the close bonds between the two countries and the Indian community’s contribution to Cyprus. He recalled Prime Minister Modi’s 2025 visit and his own May 2026 state visit to India, and said the India–EU trade agreement expected next month would open new opportunities with “the world’s largest democracy”. “The light we create together can reach much further than what each of us could create alone,” he said.
8. The High Commissioner’s message
High Commissioner of India H.E. Manish greeted guests with “Namaste, Kalispera, and Happy Diwali” and thanked the President and First Lady. He also thanked Mr. Dipak Kumar for his support to the Cyprus Glows – Diwali event at the Presidential Palace of Cyprus. Diwali, he said, teaches that “goodness deserves our courage, knowledge deserves our pursuit, and hope deserves our care”. He reaffirmed India’s support for Cyprus’s sovereignty and noted that the two countries will celebrate 65 years of diplomatic ties in 2027.
9. Lamps, dance, food and music
The President, the First Lady and the High Commissioner lit the ceremonial lamp on stage. Guests enjoyed Indian dance performances and Indian cuisine, and the night ended with a concert by Greek music icons Giorgos Theofanous and Giorgos Papadopoulos.
For Cyprus, it was a historic first. For Help2Live, it was the start of a hug it hopes the world will share.
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