Nicosia: For the first time in the history of Cyprus, the Presidential Palace in Nicosia was illuminated with the colours, traditions and festive spirit of India as the country celebrated the Indian festival of lights, Deepavali, with pomp and gaiety.
President Nikos Christodoulides and First Lady Philippa Karsera Christodoulidou joined High Commissioner Manish and his wife Preeti Gupta on November 9, 2026, showcasing a powerful gesture of friendship towards the Indian community.
President Christodoulides reflected on Diwali’s message of hope, unity and shared progress. Recalling his State Visit to India, he highlighted the enormous potential of the India–Cyprus Strategic Partnership, spanning trade, shipping, investment, defence, technology and connectivity, and warmly acknowledged the Indian community’s contributions to Cyprus.
The High Commissioner thanked the President and the First Lady for welcoming India's traditions into the Presidential Palace. He reaffirmed India's unwavering support for Cyprus' sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity, highlighted the momentum generated by the historic visits of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Christodoulides, and expressed gratitude for Cyprus’ recent rescue of nine Indian seafarers.
Looking ahead to 65 years of diplomatic relations on February 10, 2027, he emphasized translating this enduring friendship into greater opportunities for both peoples.
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A Palace Aglowed with Diwali!
The evening featured spectacular outdoor illumination, ceremonial lamp-lighting, Indian cultural performances and a distinguished gathering celebrating the warmth and vibrancy of India–Cyprus relations.
Cyprus Glows: Diwali 2026 was organized by the Help2Live Charity Foundation, founded by Dipak Kumar, in collaboration with the High Commission of India in Cyprus. The celebration brought the spirit of Diwali to the heart of Cyprus, illuminating a shared commitment to friendship, prosperity and a brighter future.
The idea came from 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.
Dipak warmly embraced President Christodoulides and that moment launched the ‘Diwali Hug’. The gesture reflected what Diwali has stood for generations: 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 lamp, makes no distinction of nationality, faith or language.
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 a Diwali Hug on social media, calling it a reminder of love prevailing over everything else in a divided world.
Dipak 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 Indian 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, which literally means, the world is one family.
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President Christodoulides Highlights India-Cyprus Friendship
President Christodoulides thanked Kumar for his support to the Cyprus Glows: Diwali 2026 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.
The High Commissioner of India greeted guests with “Namaste, Kalispera and Happy Diwali. He said Diwali teaches everyone that goodness deserves courage, knowledge deserves pursuit and hope deserves care. He reaffirmed India's support for Cyprus’ sovereignty and noted that the two countries will celebrate 65 years of diplomatic ties in 2027.
The Presidential Palace in Cyprus glows with Indian colours, lights and traditions during the historic Deepavali 2026 celebration. (Img: Tezzbuzz News)
Help2Live: Lighting a Lamp Where Darkness Is Deepest
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. He described the foundation's work across Cyprus, stating that Help2Live supports orphaned children with care and education, visits elderly people in care homes, delivered groceries and medicines during the pandemic, and has supported the families of fallen Cyprus Police officers for years.
The foundation also sponsors youth football, volleyball and marathons, built a rooftop garden for cancer patients at the German Medical Institute, and funded an exhibition in Warsaw on Cyprus’ 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,” he noted. Immediately after his address, the host announced that Help2Live would donate 10,000 Euros to the Alkionides Foundation and 10,000 Euros to Radiomarathon.
President Christodoulides, First Lady Philippa Karsera Christodoulides and Indian High Commissioner Manish Gupta light the ceremonial lamp. (Img: Tezzbuzz News)
A Celebration of Culture, Charity and Friendship
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.
About 150 guests, including Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria, the Attorney General, ministers, members of parliament, diplomats, business leaders and members of the Indian community, attended the event. For Cyprus, it was a historic first. For Help2Live, it was the start of a hug it hopes the world will share.