NCIC Seeks $1M State Aid for $3.5M Divali Nagar 2025 Festival

The National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) is set to launch Divali Nagar 2025, a festival expected to cost $3.5 million. The organization is reaching out for a state funding of $1 million to help with the expenses. The reveal was made by Surujdeo Mangaroo, the newly elected president of NCIC, during the festival’s official launch at their head office in Chaguanas. The NCIC managed to only break even last year, despite receiving $500,000 from the former PNM administration. The funding was used to assist the nine-day event. The NCIC generates revenue from booth rentals, corporate sponsorship, and individual donations. However, Mangaroo is appealing to the broader business community for more support. This year’s festival won’t feature fireworks or competitions, a shift from prior years, and the venue will be open from 10 am daily for greater visitor flexibility. The theme for this year’s festival is Loka Samgraha, symbolizing the welfare of the world, a call for unity, peace, and collective responsibility across various communities.