--- title: "AMK Hub Deepavali fair called out for lacking Indian representation, here’s what we found" url: "/trending-now/amk-hub-deepavali-fair-called-out-lacking-indian-representation-heres-what-we-found" published: "2026-10-29T08:09:37.000Z" updated: "2026-10-29T08:29:15.000Z" section: "Trending Now" authors: ["Trixy Toh"] tags: ["TNP News","Deepavali","AMK Hub","food fair","AI","Ang Mo Kio"] --- # AMK Hub Deepavali fair called out for lacking Indian representation, here’s what we found *A TikToker has called out a Deepavali fair at AMK Hub for its apparent lack of Indian representation* A TikToker has called out a Deepavali fair at AMK Hub for its apparent lack of Indian representation. In a video posted on Oct 25, she documents her visit to the mall’s fair, where a banner at the entrance reads “Happy Diwali”. “Let’s have a look if there are any Indian stalls,” she says. In the video, the TikTok user seemingly walks around the fair once before concluding that there were none. “I am so confused right now, but Happy Diwali I guess,” the TikToker says. The video garnered over 79,000 views and 210 comments, with many netizens similarly questioning the supposed lack of Indian representation at the fair. One user described it as “disrespectful”, while others expressed shock at the TikToker’s findings. “Having a mix is understandable but NONE?” a comment read. Others also pointed out that the fair’s banners read “Happy Diwali” instead of “Happy Deepavali”. ![Deepavali fair Indian AMK Hub representation](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/stomp/1c867899d03255f14110be07050c67ba94f27445e317a88ec083d47218ca3b75) *Others also pointed out that the fair’s banners read “Happy Diwali” instead of “Happy Deepavali”.* While both terms refer to the same festival of lights, “Deepavali” is commonly used in South India, Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, while “Diwali” is more prevalent in North India and among diaspora communities in the West. ## ‘I feel very sad that we’re inside’: Owner of 2 stalls selling Indian cuisine When Stomp visited the fair on Oct 28 at the basement two level of AMK Hub, two stalls selling Indian cuisine were spotted towards the centre of the fair. The stalls along the perimeter, which were more visible to passers-by and shoppers, mostly sold Chinese snacks and wellness products. ![Deepavali fair Indian AMK Hub representation](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/stomp/39553309133a4fb6df9b9dccf0f700f7dbc1460990ad66b79cb9c1c3eca98590) *The stalls along the perimeter mostly sold Chinese snacks and wellness products.* Speaking to Stomp, Sheila Raju, who owns both 24 Spices — a home-based Indian catering business — and Tasty Bucks — which sells cookies and pastries — said she felt “very sad” that her stalls were tucked inside the fair, where they were less visible to shoppers. Her stall offers homemade briyani, pineapple tarts, ghee balls, suji biscuits, and various types of murukku. “It’s sad that it looks like a Deepavali food fair but I’m the only Indian here,” the 54-year-old said. ![Deepavali fair Indian AMK Hub representation](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/stomp/82dc3c434ce47a2e9b0da0a33829b3ee2b044fd1eb51a0fb778ad8b514f5d41e) *Her stall offers homemade halal briyani, pineapple tarts, ghee balls, suji biscuits and various types of murukku.* She added that the banners had recently been changed from “Diwali” to “Deepavali” after she gave feedback to the organisers. ![Deepavali fair Indian AMK Hub representation](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/stomp/ddfdb664240c825deda96f784389a44c2a1a3bd0cfe81beeb736917f483a093b) *The banners had recently been changed from “Diwali” (left) to “Deepavali” (right) after she gave feedback to the organisers.* Describing the fair as looking “very Chinese”, Sheila said it would be ideal if more Indian vendors could contribute to the fair and showcase their products. She also lamented about the slow business she had experienced so far. “I literally have to walk out and pull customers,” she said, adding that she tries to attract shoppers of all races. ![Deepavali fair Indian AMK Hub representation](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/stomp/b405a0c08761c203bf7ba5ec64aef279a26af038731502ed30d1aa6875afc38b) *“I literally have to walk out and pull customers,” she said.* Sheila said she had prepared large pots of briyani over the past few days, but was left with substantial amounts of unsold food at the end of each day. Rather than let it go to waste, she gave the leftovers to fellow vendors at the fair and workers she encountered. “Tomorrow onwards I will prepare minimal briyani, maybe just 20 portions,” she said. “It’s not worth cooking so much.” Sheila added that the food fair organiser had offered to relocate her stall to a spot along the perimeter of the fair. “At least passers-by can see that there is Indian food,” she said. A photo shared by Sheila on Oct 29 shows both of her stalls positioned next to the main entrance of the fair. ![Deepavali fair Indian AMK Hub representation](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/stomp/dd01988f9f74e8760ee774e18dccf31161cef9ef41cb7d65b4187f21b52f7b67) *Her two stalls are now along the perimeter of the fair.* Reiterating that it was a Deepavali fair, Sheila suggested that future iterations of the fair should feature stalls offering a wider mix of Indian food, apparel, gifts, and other products. “I believe the other races would come and support us too,” she said. Stomp has reached out to AMK Hub for comment. ## There should be more Indian food: Passers-by Speaking to Stomp, Lee, a passer-by, described the food fair as being “very quiet”, noting that there are many other food options nearby, including the food court. Noting that it was a Deepavali fair, the 69-year-old, who works part-time at a food and beverage outlet in AMK Hub, felt that the fair should feature more Indian food. A shopper, who wished to be known only as Carrine, told Stomp that she had passed by the fair several times but had not patronised the stalls there. Stressing that the banners read “Happy Deepavali”, the 20-year-old said the fair should feature more Indian stalls. “I wonder why they only have two,” she said. Speaking to Stomp, Alicia — an employee at Annabella Patissierie, one of the stalls at the fair — said most of her customers were Chinese, with Malays and Indians making up a smaller number. The 18-year-old noted that Indian customers tended to patronise the two stalls selling Indian cuisine, but had also bought snacks – such as biscuits and cookies – from her stall. ![Deepavali fair Indian AMK Hub representation](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/stomp/99d8ce0c3707832966656a50a1d8eeccff1f141f0dfe6a5dc455b3a497995e6b) *The vendor who runs Annabella Patissierie noted that Indian customers had bought snacks from her stall.*