Bhubaneswar: Shree Jagannatha Rath Yatra Organising Committee of Central Japan organised a green Diwali celebration at Nagoya International Center in Aichi prefecture’s Kasugai city recently, drawing about 200 people, including 170 Indians and 30 Japanese.No firecrackers were used, making the event free of smoke and pollution. Digital lamps replaced traditional diyas because the venue, which belongs to Nagoya City Govt, prohibits fire.“The celebration sought to promote a cleaner and more sustainable future while strengthening friendship, harmony and mutual respect between Indians and Japanese,” said Choudhury Rudra Charan Mohanty, a member of the committee.The gathering, attended mainly by the Indian community, including six Odias, featured Odissi dance led by Chisato Miura of Tridhara Japan and her team, Bharatanatyam led by Subha Kokuo Chakravarty and her team, bhajans and songs by Indian performers, and a dance welcoming rain.The participating Indian families prepared bhog items, including malpua, nadia kora, kakara pitha, nimiki, muduki, varieties of khichdi, laddoos and kheer. The guests were also served fruits and dry fruits, with some Japanese families contributing the fruits. An Indian-run kitchen in Nagoya prepared a vegetarian Diwali dinner for all. Dignitaries attending included Kasugai city councillor Masanao Kajita and committee adviser Norihiro Kawasaki (85).