NEWS/ HONG KONG/ CITY
Press Release – Immediate
Improving the lives of Hong Kong’s ethnically diverse individuals by reducing suffering and providing opportunities
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
ZUBIN FOUNDATION
Improving the lives of Hong Kong’s ethnically diverse individuals by reducing suffering and providing opportunities
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
Group photo (from left to right) with
• Aruna Gurung, Yau Tsim Mong District Councillor
• Vivian Lam, District Social Welfare Officer (Kowloon City & Yau Tsim Mong)
• Mr Lam, Cantonese Teacher of the elderly
• Edward To, Director of Social Welfare, HKSAR
• Dhan Kumari Thapa, representative of the 80-year-old elderly from the community
• Shalini Mahtani, Founder and CEO, The Zubin Foundation
• Dr Vicky, Pro Bono Dentist
Download here: http://bit.ly/3Jl30Xm
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
Improving the lives of Hong Kong’s ethnically diverse individuals by reducing suffering and providing opportunities
Appendix 1: Ceremony Agenda and Speakers
Welcome and Remarks
• Welcome Remarks by Shalini Mahtani, MBE, MH, Founder & CEO, The Zubin Foundation
• Opening Remarks by Edward To, Director of Social Welfare, HKSAR Award Presentation
Award Presentation to PhotoVoice (Digital Photo-taking) Competition 19 awards to be presented by:
• Aruna Gurung, Yau Tsim Mong District Councillor
• Vivian Lam, District Social Welfare Officer (Kowloon City / Yau Tsim Mong)
Group Photo and Ceremony
Ceremony: Diya lighting and say “Shubha Labh” – meaning blessing, wish good fortune and prosperity
A group photo with the Guest of Honour, Guests and Community Representative on the stage:
• Aruna Gurung, Yau Tsim Mong District Councillor
• Dhan Kumari Thapa, representative of the 80-year old elderly from the community*
• Edward To, Director of Social Welfare
• Mr Lam, Cantonese Teacher of the elderlies
• Shalini Mahtani, Founder and CEO, The Zubin Foundation
• Vivian Lam, District Social Welfare Officer (Kowloon City / Yau Tsim Mong)
• Dr Vicky, Pro Bono Dentist
*Dhan Kumari Thapa (80-year-old, Nepalese) will come on stage on behalf of the elderly who are 80 years old or above to join the ceremony.
Dance Performance by the Elderly
End of Official Ceremony Programme
Lunch (South Asian Food) and Open of Dance Floor
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.
