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NORTH AmERIcAN Newsline NOVEMBER 05, 2021 | The Indian Eye 34
Diwali 2021
Indiaspora hosts Festival of lights with
prominent Indian-americans in dC
Neera Tanden, Kamala Harris, Vivek Murthy, Pramila Jayapal
and others give messages on the occasion
the world,” said Khanna, who
Our Bureau pointed out his district in Califor-
Washington, DC nia has the largest Indian Amer-
ican community in the nation.
rominent members of the “I think of Diwali as a time
Indian American commu- of sustenance … the food, the
Pnity hosted a Diwali event lights and a community event.
in the US Capitol Rayburn To find sustenance in the things
House office building on Tuesday. we grew up with which make us
who we are today, and that is
During the event, indian why the work of Indiaspora is
important,” said Jayapal. “It’s
americans who have been time to run for office…we will
elected, appointed, and be rooting for you and support-
ive of you. It doesn’t matter if
nominated to public office, you win or lose, it matters that
as well as staffers on Cap- you ran for the right reasons - to
serve the community,” Krishna-
itol hill - which is the seat moorthi said.
“As we close out 2021, I plan
of the us Congress - were to introduce legislation that
honored for their contribu- would further enshrine this day
celebrated occasions of the year, in a world that has been turned of light, Diwali, as a federal
tions to government service. we recognize the sewa (or ser- upside down by this pandemic holiday,” said Congresswom-
vice) of these public servants in as well as a growing pandemic of an Carolyn Maloney, who was
The event that was hosted by
Indiaspora, a non-profit organi- our community,” said MR Ran- polarization,” said Dr Murthy. instrumental in helping Indias-
zation of global Indian diaspora gaswami, founder of Indiaspora, All four members of Con- pora and community partners
leaders, was joined by several at the event. gress of Indian heritage, includ- in their advocacy for a United
The event included remarks ing the longest serving Indian States postal stamp commem-
other important organizations from senior US administration American in Congress Ami orating Diwali which came to
including All American Diwali, officials, including Neera Tan- Bera; vice chair of the India fruition in 2016.
Art of Living Foundation, As- den, senior adviser to President caucus in the house of repre- The programme included a
sociation of Indian Muslims of
America, Dharma into Action, Joe Biden, who was recently sentatives Ro Khanna; Pramila diya lighting ceremony with the
Global Indian Jewish Rela- named White House staff sec- Jayapal, the first Indian Ameri- speakers and remarks from sev-
tions Institute, Hindu American retary, and serves as the highest can woman elected to the house eral elected and appointed lead-
ranking Indian American wom- of representatives; and Raja ers in the federal government.
Foundation, Indian American an in the administration after Krishnamoorthi spoke about “We are honored to celebrate Di-
Impact Project , JAINA: Fed- vice-president Kamala Harris, what Diwali meant to them, and wali in the Capitol Hill and share
eration of Jain Associations in as well as vice admiral Vivek their call to public service. The our traditions with the leaders
North America; Jain Society of
Metropolitan Washington and Murthy, US Surgeon General, others too spoke at the event. who have dedicated themselves
US-India Business Council. who spoke about the inspiration “We have come a long way as a to serve the public. The Indian
“With such a growing num- behind Diwali. community where someone can diaspora has had a profound
“The fundamental lesson of easily say today as I do, that I am impact in American society,
ber of Indian Americans serv- Diwali is to recognize and re- a proud Hindu American, that I and their diverse contributions
ing in all facets of government, member our light and the light am proud of celebrating Diwali, continue to strengthen our na-
it felt fitting that during Diwali, within others, and to focus on that the Hindu American cul- tion,” said Sanjeev Joshipura,
one of the most auspicious and
that. That is our charge today, ture has enriched America and executive director of Indiaspora.
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