TMU alumna looks forward to ‘whirlwind of joy’ this Diwali
Varinder “Vinny” Bhathal
Business Management ’04
Managing Partner, Chief Controller & Treasurer, Sprott Inc. and Chief Financial Officer, Sprott Asset Management LP
This year’s Diwali will be extra special for Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) alumna Varinder “Vinny” Bhathal: Vinny’s family will celebrate her father’s incredible 90th Diwali and her niece’s very first Diwali as a newlywed!
A 2025 TMU Alumni Achievement Award honouree and a past G. Raymond Chang Outstanding Volunteer recipient, Vinny shares in her own words some thoughts on the meaning that this annual celebration holds for her, which includes being of service to uplift others.
For those in the TMU community who plan to celebrate the Festival of Lights this October 20, Happy Diwali!
The table is set for a Diwali feast. Photo courtesy of Vinny Bhathal.
How was your experience celebrating Diwali as a child growing up in India?
Growing up in India, celebrating Diwali was pure magic! The Festival of Lights wasn’t just a holiday; it was a dazzling, yearly spectacle. Our entire home would be lit up with countless twinkling diyas [oil lamps], the air rich with the irresistible aromas of delicious sweets, and an atmosphere buzzing with contagious celebration. Sure, getting to buy brand-new clothes and exchange gifts was a definite perk, but the true magic was in coming together. It was those moments spent laughing, connecting and making unforgettable memories with family and friends that turned each Diwali into a whirlwind of pure joy!
You mentioned that as a Sikh who observes Diwali, the day has both a celebratory and a spiritual meaning to you. Can you tell us more about that?
As a Sikh, Diwali holds an extra layer of significance for me because it’s also the time we honor Bandi Chhor Divas — the Day of Liberation. This powerful story dates back to 1619, when Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, our sixth Guru, was unjustly imprisoned in Gwalior Fort by Emperor Jahangir. Instead of just accepting his own freedom, Guru Hargobind Ji showed extraordinary compassion and courage: he insisted that 52 Hindu kings who were also wrongfully held must be released with him. Thanks to his determination, they all walked free together, and he became known as the “Bandi Chhor”— the Liberator of Prisoners.
When Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji returned to Amritsar on Diwali, the city erupted in celebration. The Golden Temple glowed with thousands of lamps, symbolizing hope, freedom and unity — a tradition that continues to light up Sikh hearts and homes every Diwali.
Vinny and husband Jagmohan, MBA ’10, at a past UHN Diwali Gala. Photo courtesy of Vinny Bhathal.
You actively give of your time and talent, such as chairing the Dean’s Advisory Council at the Ted Rogers School of Management and being co-chair at last year's UHN’s Diwali — A Night to Shine gala, which raised a record $2M for the University Health Network. While Diwali is observed once a year, the concept of sewa or selfless service is observed year-round. Can you tell us more about that?
While Diwali inspires acts of giving and sharing, in my opinion sewa or selfless service should continue to be part of our daily existence. When we choose to give without expectation, even in small ways, we create ripples of kindness that transform both others and ourselves. True fulfillment begins when service becomes our natural expression of gratitude. Start with simple acts of kindness for those around you — feel the joy it brings, then let your generosity ripple out to uplift broader communities.
Vinny and her son hold sparklers to light up the night as they celebrate Diwali years ago. The photo reminds Vinny of a true Canadian Diwali, when the weather could get very cold around this lunar holiday that usually takes place between mid-October and mid-November. Photo courtesy of Vinny Bhathal.
Varinder (“Vinny”) Bhathal leads the finance and investment operations departments of Sprott Inc. — a multi-billion-dollar global asset manager focused on precious metals and critical materials investments. Vinny is a past recipient of the G. Raymond Chang Outstanding Volunteer Award for her work on Women Get On Board and The Neighbourhood Group. Vinny is also a recipient of a 2025 Alumni Achievement Award and currently serves as the chair of the Dean’s Advisory Council at the Ted Rogers School of Management.