Page 20 - The Indian EYE 102822

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline
The One World Trade
Center comes alive
with Diwali animation
Rahul Walia, Founding Trustee of South Asian Engagement Foundation along with Detective
Ravi Narayan, President of NYPD Desi Society and Pandit Ram Hardowar Ji of Shree Sury- of the year through a solution to end
anarayn Temple, lighting the Diya outside One World Trade Center at the inauguration of the
All-American Diwali Mural on October 22
OUR BUREAU
New York, NY
he South Asian Engagement
Foundation along with the
TDurst Organization displayed
Diwali-themed animation on the
façade of the One World Center, a
symbol of New York City’s eternal
goodness.
OCTOBER 28, 2022 | The Indian Eye 20
Biden invites three Indian American
children facing extradition to
the White House Diwali reception
OUR BUREAU Pareen Mhatre and Athulya Rajaku-
mar -- at ‘Improve the Dream’ were
Washington, DC
invited by Biden and First Lady Jill
n a show of solidarity with the Biden to attend the Diwali reception
Deferred Action Legal Child- at the White House on Monday.
Ihood Arrivals (DALCA) children “Diwali has always been a cher-
who are facing extradition from the ished festival for me and my family. I
US, President Joe Biden has invited am so honored to be able to advocate
three young Indian Americans to his on behalf of ‘Improve The Dream’
Diwali reception. DALCA children and help bring light to our cause. It
are those who have aged out of their was a surreal feeling meeting South
parent’s visa or legal status and face Asian trailblazers at the White
extradition. There are over 200,000 House to celebrate the festival of
such children in the US, majority of lights that is so close to our hearts,”
whom are Indian Americans. Mhatre said.
Thanking Biden for the gesture, Echoing similar sentiments, Ra-
the three young Indian Americans jakumar said, “We feel honored to
said they were “delighted to join” the have been recognized and invited
President and Vice President Kama- by President Biden and his admin-
la Harris at the White House. istration to this year’s magnificent
“We were honored to be with the Diwali celebration. Our presence
President and Vice President among here shows that the President and
many Indian American leaders for the administration have heard our
this Diwali celebration. We hope that stories and they care.” In his re-
light will come for all of us by the end marks at the Diwali function, Presi-
dent Biden thanked the community
aging-out for all children of long- for making the celebration of Diwali
term visa holders,” said Dip Patel, such a joyous part of American cul-
the founder of ‘Improve The Dream’ ture. “As we — we see it across the
organization which has been fighting country: opening homes and hearts
The animation occurred night- on behalf of the children who have and exchanging gifts and sweets, and
ly 630pm-2am from October 22 grown up in the US as child depen- hosting feasts and — for family and
through October 24. dents of long-term visa holders, but friends, organizing cultural programs
On October 22, the New York face self-deportation after aging-out. that bring us together as a people,”
Police Department (NYPD) per- Patel said about 200,000 young he said.
formed the ceremonial color guard immigrants are in the US as depen- “Through all that you contrib-
in honor of the festival. dents of their parents on temporary ute, as well beyond, in every part of
The community gathered out- work visas because of the outdated American life, thank you. Thank you
side and also said a prayer for peace, laws of the country. for reflecting the soul of who we are
harmony and prosperity for country. He and two of his colleagues -- as a nation,” the president said.
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