NEWS/ HONG KONG/ CITY 

Press Release – Immediate  

 A Festival of Light, Love, and Inclusion: Dashain & Diwali with Our Elderly 

Support the Marginalised and Neglected Population 

Hong Kong, 24 October 2025 – The Zubin Foundation, a local charity in Hong Kong with a mission to improve the lives of Hong Kong’s ethnically diverse population, hosted its Annual Festival Gathering today, celebrating Dashain and Diwali with over 170 elderly individuals from ethnically diverse communities and their families. The event was honoured by the presence of Mr Edward To, Director of Social Welfare, HKSAR, as Chief Guest of Honour. 

Celebrating Cultural Diversity and Elderly Inclusion 

This annual celebration is part of The Zubin Foundation’s commitment to reducing social isolation and promoting inclusion among Hong Kong’s marginalised elderly population in the ethnically diverse communities. The programme featured an award ceremony for the Elderly PhotoVoice digital photo-taking competition, cultural performances, and a Diya lighting ritual symbolising prosperity and unity. 

Ms Shalini Mahtani, Founder and CEO of The Zubin Foundation, expressed gratitude to the guests and highlighted the organisation’s growth in elderly outreach. “Two years ago, we were the first organisation in Hong Kong to run weekly activities for ethnically diverse elderly. Today, we serve 150–200 individuals weekly. This growth reflects the deep need in our community and the energy of our elderly participants,” she said. 

Resilience and Strength of the Ethnically Diverse Elderly 

In his welcome remarks, Mr Edward To, Director of Social Welfare, HKSAR, commended the Foundation’s decade-long dedication to improving the lives of ethnically diverse individuals, and acknowledged the importance of cultural diversity in Hong Kong: “The ethnically diverse community is indeed an important part of Hong Kong. Our friends here not only enrich Hong Kong’s cultural diversity, but also contribute talents, skills and inspire broader perspectives and creativity to the society.”  

Edward also recognised the contributions and resilience of the ethnically diverse elderly communities, “Overcoming different challenges, such as language barriers and cultural adaptation, you have shown remarkable strength and resilience. This is evidenced by your active participation in community programmes, cultural exchanges and volunteer work, unleashing your potential and, most impressively, helping others in your community and beyond. I admire you all.” 

The event also featured an award presentation to 19 elderly winners of the Elderly PhotoVoice competition, recognising their creativity and engagement. Awards were presented by District Social Welfare Officer (Kowloon City & Yau Tsim Mong) Ms Vivian Lam and District Councillor Ms Aruna Gurung. A Diya lighting ritual followed, led by 80-year-old Dhan Kumari Thapa, representing the wisdom and strength of the elderly, along with all the honourable guests, saying  “Shubha Labh” – a blessing that means wishing good fortune and prosperity. 

A Decade of Impact and a Vision for the Future 

Looking ahead, The Zubin Foundation plans to expand its services to include more home visits for elderly individuals with mobility challenges and explore advanced care planning. “We want to ensure that no elderly person feels alone,” said Mahtani. 

As the event concluded with a South Asian lunch and open dance floor, the atmosphere was filled with laughter, music, and a sense of belonging.  

Now in its tenth year, The Zubin Foundation continues to be a vital platform for support, empowerment, and community development for Hong Kong’s ethnically diverse population. “As a Diwali wish, we hope for health, peace, prosperity, and joy for all,” Mahtani concluded. 

ABOUT THE ZUBIN FOUNDATION 

ABOUT THE ZUBIN FOUNDATION 

• Annex 1: Ceremony Agenda  

• Annex 2: About the Festivals  

ABOUT THE ZUBIN FOUNDATION 

The Zubin Foundation (registered charity in Hong Kong: IR 91/12344), named after Zubin Mahtani Gidumal, is an integrated service provider for Hong Kong’s ethnically diverse individuals. We improve the lives of Hong Kong’s ethnically diverse communities by reducing suffering and providing opportunities. With a dedicated team of 25 staff, we have positively impacted over 10,000 individuals, empowering communities to thrive in 2024. 

The Zubin Foundation 10 Years of Transforming Lives of Hong Kong’s Ethnically Diverse Individuals: 

As we celebrate our tenth year, The Zubin Foundation is more determined than ever to improve the lives of Hong Kong’s ethnically diverse communities. Over the past decade, we have transformed lives by reducing suffering and providing opportunities to Hong Kong’s ethnically diverse individuals. Our ten-year anniversary is a powerful reminder that poverty in our community continues to rise and there are thousands of individuals who are in need of support, whether women victims of domestic violence, elderly individuals living alone, or children facing mental health problems. 

The Zubin Foundation relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to fund its work. For more information, please visit: www.zubinfoundation.org. 

PRESS / GENERAL ENQUIRIES 

Matthew YU, The Zubin Foundation | E: matthew@zubinfoundation.org | Tel: 2540 9588 / 6084 9333 

Appendix 1: Ceremony Agenda and Speakers 

Appendix 2: About the Festivals 

• Dashain 

Nepal’s most significant Hindu festival, celebrated over 15 days. It honours Goddess Durga’s victory over evil and emphasises family reunions, blessings from elders, and cultural traditions. 

• Diwali 

Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains. It symbolises the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, marked by lighting lamps, sharing meals, and festive joy. 

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