US State Department Organizes First Ever Diwali Celebrations in the United States
The start of the weeklong celebrations begun with Ambassador Sarna and Sullivan jointly lighting the ceremonial lamp, which was followed by their respective addresses.
United States Department of State organized Diwali celebrations at the State Department in association with the Embassy of India, Washington DC for the first time in the United States. In the celebrations, Deputy Secretary of State John J Sullivan and Ambassador of India to the US, Navtej Sarna were the chief guests. The Diwali celebrations, which started at the start of the week, is attended by over 200 guests including officials of the US State Department and the Embassy of India.
The start of the weeklong celebrations begun with Ambassador Sarna and Sullivan jointly lighting the ceremonial lamp, which was followed by their respective addresses. The Deputy Secretary of State, John Sullivan conveyed his greetings to all the Indians on the occasion of Diwali and also thanked the Embassy of India and the South Asian American Employee Association (SAAEA) for organizing the event.
Sullivan specifically mentioned that the uniting theme in the celebration of Diwali is the thread of triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. He also added that the central message of Diwali is one of hope and that the celebration at the State Department reflected the great strength of partnership with India and shared values of tolerance, diversity, freedom and justice.
On the other hand, Indian Ambassador to US Navtej Sarna expressed his appreciation for the initiative taken by the SAAEA for celebrating Diwali at the State Department. He said that the celebration of Diwali at the State Department symbolizes the growing connect of people between India and the United States.
Navtej Sarna also highlighted the rising profile and growing recognition of the contribution of the US citizens of Indian origin, including the US State Department. He also highlighted and brought the reference to release of Diwali stamp by the US Postal Service in 2016 in recognition of the close cultural ties and commonalities between the two democracies of the world.
The Diwali celebrations also included a recital of Hindustani classical music played on Sitar and tabla. The function ended with the serving of vegetarian Indian food at the venue.
Recently, the United Nations has come out with a special set of stamps in order to commemorate the Indian festival. Diwali is a Hindu festival of lights, which symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness.