The Hindi department had planned and rehearsed for the Diwali Festival in October. We caught up with Freshman Sonali Ramchandani and learned more about the event and her first impressions on her classes and the campus.

Q: Do you speak Hindi already?

A: I guess. I am not completely fluent, but I can hold a book conversation.

Q: What is Diwali?

A: Diwali translates as the festival of light. And it is basically like the Indian version of Christmas.

Q: Are you doing anything to celebrate for Diwali?

A: The Hindi program had a performance coming up Oct. 22. There were different dances for each class and some people sang. We ate Indian food afterwards and the tickets were $8.

Q: Are you singing or dancing? What are you doing?

A: I danced and I planned on singing.

Q: What is the Hindi teacher’s name?

A: Eesha Gulati.

Q: How do you like the school?

A: It has been really fun and I made new friends. I really like my teachers because they really help you learn and they don’t leave you behind.

Q: What do you like most about the Hindi?

A: When we have assignments and, you are confused, she tells you the answer without telling you the answer, if that makes sense. If you genuinely don’t understand, she helps you.

Q: What makes Hindi hard to learn?

A: Well it has a completely different alphabet.

Q: And what does that mean?

A: In writing, in order to write it, it is really hard.

Q: How has the Hindi department prepared for the Diwali festival?

A: We’ve had rehearsal every single day after school. And then sometimes in class the last 20 minutes, we rehearse the dances.

Our school’s Diwali festival will be held in the Auditorium on Oct. 22 from 6-8 p.m. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased in the Hindi classroom, 221, or from any Hindi student.