Help2Live Founder Dipak Kumar Brings Diwali to Cyprus Presidential Palace for the First Time, Starts #DiwaliHug
Nicosia [Cyprus], November 11: A historic first for Cyprus. On November 9, the Presidential Palace in Nicosia celebrated Diwali for the first time ever, and the force behind it was the Help2Live Charity Foundation, founded by Mr. Dipak Kumar.
Organised by Help2Live in collaboration with the High Commission of India in Cyprus, Cyprus Glows: Diwali 2026 was hosted by H.E. President Nikos Christodoulides and First Lady Philippa Karsera. Nearly 150 guests attended, including Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria, the Attorney General, ministers, members of parliament, diplomats, industry leaders and Indian families living on the island.
For the Indian community in Cyprus, it was a proud moment. For Mr. Dipak Kumar, who has lived in Cyprus for over 20 years and funded Help2Live from his own pocket for 15, it was the result of a simple idea: to bring the festival of lights to the heart of his adopted home.
One hug, one message
The image of the night: Mr. Dipak Kumar giving H.E. President Christodoulides a warm hug. With that embrace, the #DiwaliHug was born.
The message behind it is the message of Diwali. Light defeats darkness. What unites us is stronger than what divides us. A hug, like the glow of a diya, does not check anyone’s passport, religion or language before it reaches them.
Mr. Dipak Kumar believes that in a divided world, small acts of love and care can bring people together. He is now asking people in Cyprus, India and everywhere else to hug someone they love, a friend or even a stranger, post the moment with #DiwaliHug and tag @indiansincyprus.
“Light a lamp wherever the darkness is deepest”
In his welcome address, Mr. Dipak Kumar thanked the President for throwing open the palace doors to Diwali for the very first time. He said it was a gift to every Indian in Cyprus.
He explained that his name, Dipak, means a lamp in Sanskrit, and that he set up Help2Live hoping to light a lamp wherever the darkness is deepest.
That mission now covers a wide range of work. Help2Live supports orphaned children and their education. It created a rooftop garden for cancer patients at the German Medical Institute, giving patients and their families a peaceful place overlooking the sea. It visits elderly people in care homes, delivered essentials during the pandemic, supports the families of fallen Cyprus Police officers and sponsors young athletes.
“We cannot always add days to our life, but we believe we can add light to those days,” Mr. Dipak Kumar said.
He stressed teamwork, saying Help2Live works with other charities because “this was never about one name”. He also pointed to a Help2Live-funded exhibition in Warsaw on Cyprus’s Christmas traditions, held with the Church of Cyprus and the Cyprus Police, as proof that light belongs to everyone, whatever their faith.
Just after his speech came a big announcement: Help2Live would donate €20,000, split equally between the Alkionides Foundation and Radiomarathon.
A direct appeal to PM Modi
Mr. Dipak Kumar called Cyprus India’s all-weather friend and likened the relationship to the friendship of Krishna and Sudama. With folded hands, he urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help 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, assuring Cyprus that Indians would stand with it “today, tomorrow and always”.
What the President and High Commissioner said
H.E. President Christodoulides thanked Mr. Dipak Kumar for his support to the Cyprus Glows – Diwali event at the Presidential Palace of Cyprus. He said the evening reflected the special bond between the two nations and the Indian community’s role in Cyprus. He highlighted cooperation in shipping, trade, investment, defence and technology, and welcomed the India–EU trade agreement expected next month. “The light we create together can reach much further than what each of us could create alone,” he said.
High Commissioner of India H.E. Manish opened with “Namaste, Kalispera, and Happy Diwali” and thanked the President and First Lady for their gesture of friendship. He also thanked Mr. Dipak Kumar for his support to the Cyprus Glows – Diwali event at the Presidential Palace of Cyprus. He reaffirmed India’s steadfast support for Cyprus’s sovereignty, and said the strategic partnership must deliver benefits people can see. He also thanked Cypriot rescuers for saving all ten crew, nine of them Indian, when the vessel AS Dream sank off Cyprus on October 30.
A night to remember
The President, the First Lady and the High Commissioner lit the ceremonial lamp on stage. Indian dance performances and Indian food followed, and Greek singers Giorgos Theofanous and Giorgos Papadopoulos brought the curtain down with a live concert.
One evening, one first, and one hug that its founder hopes will travel around the world.
