CUAFA and API-ERG held a joint Fall 2025 Harvest of Harmony: Celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival & Diwali at CUIMC

Henry Lee and Narre Heon (co-leads, API ERG); Anil Lalwani and Ying Wei (President and President Elect, CUAFA)

Despite gray skies and torrential rain, the Fall 2025 Harvest of Harmony celebration took place in the lobby of the School of Nursing building on October 30, 2025, co-hosted by the CUIMC Asian & Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group (API ERG) and the Columbia University Asian Faculty Association (CUAFA). The event was filled with warmth, color, and a sense of community spirit. It brought together colleagues and friends to honor two beloved cultural traditions: the Mid-Autumn Festival and Diwali.

Guests gathered over Mooncakes and freshly made samosas, learning about the stories and symbolism behind the festivals while decorating paper bags for Heart of Dinner, an organization that supports food distribution for elders in Chinatown.

“Thank you all for a wonderful collaboration — we truly appreciate it! We had a great turnout despite the weather, and every single delicious samosa was eaten,”
— Narre Heon, Co-lead, CUIMC API ERG

“Wonderful event, terrific turnout, excellent collaboration!”
— Anil Lalwani, President, CUAFA