Trinity and Friends Enjoy Diwali

About the Book

This book attempts to familiarize children with the festival of Diwali, that is celebrated not only in India, but in all parts of the world where people of Indian origin live. Diwali is the festival of lights, that is also symbolic of the triumph of good over evil. Families celebrate by wearing new clothes, eating special foods, decorating the houses, and creating a festive mood with music and dancing. In America friends and relatives get together, have sumptuous meals, and enjoy the company of each other, while the children regale themselves with fun and games. Diwali is for Hindus what Christmas is for Christians or Hanukah for Jews. Children are happy with the gifts they receive and proudly show them off to their friends. This is a welcome occasion to celebrate when the days are getting shorter and the gloomy nights are getting longer, which is also an indication of the cold to follow.

About the Author

Dr. Priscilla Parameswaran, a resident of Scarsdale, N.Y. was born in Alwaye, India, and grew up in Tangasseri, Quilon, India. She attended Mount Carmel High School, Fatima College and Presidency College, Madras University before coming to the United States for higher studies. Priscilla was one of the first women to study piloting at the Kerala Flying Club in Trivandrum, India. Dr. Parameswaran has a Ph.D. and M.A. in English from Fordham University, N.Y. and a B.A. Hons. from Presidency College, Madras University, India. Dr. Parameswaran was with the IBM Corporation in Armonk for 20 years functioning as Program Manager of Corporate Contributions, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs. Prior to that, she taught English at St. Helena High School, Queens College, and Westchester Community College. In addition, she was a journalist for the newspaper Transindia, Editorial Control Officer at the United Nations, and Program Administrator at the Institute of International Education. After taking early retirement from IBM, she was an Adjunct Professor of English at Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. and Iona College, New Rochelle, N.Y. Priscilla is in the Real Estate business and is currently an Associate Broker with Claire D. Leone Real Estate in Scarsdale. Dr. Parameswaran is active in civic and community affairs as a leader and trailblazer. She is the founder of the Asian American Republican Committee in 1988, and was its Chairman until 2006. She has been a District Leader in Scarsdale, served on the Executive Committee of the Scarsdale and Westchester GOP, and has attended national GOP conventions, including as Alternate Delegate. She is the founding Chairperson of the Indian American Forum for Political Education in Westchester, N.Y. and was IAFPE’s national Vice President. Some of the boards she has served on include the United Way of Scarsdale/Edgemont, the American Association of University Women, and the United Nations Association of the U.S.A. Scarsdale/Hartsdale Chapter. At Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Scarsdale, Priscilla is a lector and an active parishioner.