Hundreds of people in B.C. are joining millions of South Asians around the world in celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights that honours the triumph of good over evil.

Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains alike.

More than 300 business and community leaders, as well as students, faculty and staff of Simon Fraser University celebrated at a Diwali gala on Thursday night at Surrey's Surrey’s Crown Palace Banquet Hall.

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• Diwali SFU Celebration 2012

  Simon Fraser University celebrated the festival of lights with a gala at Surrey’s Crown Palace Banquet Hall on Nov. 8, 2012. More than 300 business and community leaders, along with SFU students, faculty, staff and alumni attended the fifth annual event.

• Diwali SFU Celebration 2012

  Simon Fraser University celebrated the festival of lights with a gala at Surrey’s Crown Palace Banquet Hall on Nov. 8, 2012. More than 300 business and community leaders, along with SFU students, faculty, staff and alumni attended the fifth annual event.

• Diwali SFU Celebration 2012

  Simon Fraser University celebrated the festival of lights with a gala at Surrey’s Crown Palace Banquet Hall on Nov. 8, 2012. More than 300 business and community leaders, along with SFU students, faculty, staff and alumni attended the fifth annual event.

• Diwali SFU Celebration 2012

  Simon Fraser University celebrated the festival of lights with a gala at Surrey’s Crown Palace Banquet Hall on Nov. 8, 2012. More than 300 business and community leaders, along with SFU students, faculty, staff and alumni attended the fifth annual event.

• Diwali SFU Celebration 2012

  Simon Fraser University celebrated the festival of lights with a gala at Surrey’s Crown Palace Banquet Hall on Nov. 8, 2012. More than 300 business and community leaders, along with SFU students, faculty, staff and alumni attended the fifth annual event.

• Diwali SFU Celebration 2012

  Simon Fraser University celebrated the festival of lights with a gala at Surrey’s Crown Palace Banquet Hall on Nov. 8, 2012. More than 300 business and community leaders, along with SFU students, faculty, staff and alumni attended the fifth annual event.

• Diwali SFU Celebration 2012

  Simon Fraser University celebrated the festival of lights with a gala at Surrey’s Crown Palace Banquet Hall on Nov. 8, 2012. More than 300 business and community leaders, along with SFU students, faculty, staff and alumni attended the fifth annual event.

• Diwali SFU Celebration 2012

  Simon Fraser University celebrated the festival of lights with a gala at Surrey’s Crown Palace Banquet Hall on Nov. 8, 2012. More than 300 business and community leaders, along with SFU students, faculty, staff and alumni attended the fifth annual event.

• Diwali SFU Celebration 2012

  Simon Fraser University celebrated the festival of lights with a gala at Surrey’s Crown Palace Banquet Hall on Nov. 8, 2012. More than 300 business and community leaders, along with SFU students, faculty, staff and alumni attended the fifth annual event.

• Diwali SFU Celebration 2012

  Simon Fraser University celebrated the festival of lights with a gala at Surrey’s Crown Palace Banquet Hall on Nov. 8, 2012. More than 300 business and community leaders, along with SFU students, faculty, staff and alumni attended the fifth annual event.

• Diwali SFU Celebration 2012

  Simon Fraser University celebrated the festival of lights with a gala at Surrey’s Crown Palace Banquet Hall on Nov. 8, 2012. More than 300 business and community leaders, along with SFU students, faculty, staff and alumni attended the fifth annual event.

• Diwali SFU Celebration 2012

  Simon Fraser University celebrated the festival of lights with a gala at Surrey’s Crown Palace Banquet Hall on Nov. 8, 2012. More than 300 business and community leaders, along with SFU students, faculty, staff and alumni attended the fifth annual event.

• Diwali SFU Celebration 2012

  Simon Fraser University celebrated the festival of lights with a gala at Surrey’s Crown Palace Banquet Hall on Nov. 8, 2012. More than 300 business and community leaders, along with SFU students, faculty, staff and alumni attended the fifth annual event.

• Diwali SFU Celebration 2012

  Simon Fraser University celebrated the festival of lights with a gala at Surrey’s Crown Palace Banquet Hall on Nov. 8, 2012. More than 300 business and community leaders, along with SFU students, faculty, staff and alumni attended the fifth annual event.

• Diwali SFU Celebration 2012

  Simon Fraser University celebrated the festival of lights with a gala at Surrey’s Crown Palace Banquet Hall on Nov. 8, 2012. More than 300 business and community leaders, along with SFU students, faculty, staff and alumni attended the fifth annual event.

• Diwali SFU Celebration 2012

  Simon Fraser University celebrated the festival of lights with a gala at Surrey’s Crown Palace Banquet Hall on Nov. 8, 2012. More than 300 business and community leaders, along with SFU students, faculty, staff and alumni attended the fifth annual event.

The fifth annual event, sponsored by TD Business Banking, featured great dancers and of course, great food.

Money raised from the evening went toward SFU scholarships for students to work, study and volunteer in India, through the university’s mobility initiative.

Diwali is also being celebrated in homes throughout B.C. with family and sweets. (Mmm, jalebi.)

One of the biggest parties will be Saturday afternoon's Vancouver Celebrates Diwali Festival at the Roundhouse Community Centre from 3 to 8 p.m.

With files from The Canadian Press

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