Indian-American lawmakers and top Biden admin members celebrate Diwali at US Congress

Washington, October 27

Led by Indian-American lawmakers, top members serving in the Biden administration and a select group of community members from across the country gathered to celebrate the festival of lights, 'Diwali', at the US Congress, the temple of democracy.

Reflecting on the emergence of this small but influential community in the American socio-political spectrum, lawmakers praised the contribution of  Indian-Americans in the development of the US and highlighted the significance of Diwali in a post-Covid world.

"We, for the last almost two years, have been in the midst of a pandemic that has turned our lives upside down. Many of us, myself included, have sustained losses of family and friends. I know many of you have as well, whether it's family here, family back in India or in the diaspora or around the world. We have suffered heavy losses," US Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy said at the event.

"But one of the things that concerns me most about the last few years is another type of pandemic, the invisible pandemic that we are in the midst of. That's a pandemic of polarisation where it feels increasingly people have turned against each other, where they've demonised one another, called each other evil and treated each other as so. That's a particular kind of darkness," he said.

The Capitol Hill Diwali celebration was organised by Indiaspora in association with several community organisations.

Remembering the teachings of his mother, Dr Murthy said Diwali is is supposed to be a day about light conquering darkness.

"She would always say Vivek, people you encounter in America will come from different faiths and traditions. But remember that the light of God exists within each one of them, always, regardless of where they're from," he said.

"When I think about Diwali, I think about it in that context. Can we remember the light that exists within ourselves and one another? Can we not allow it? Can we not allow that light to be expunged because we happen to be on the other side of the political spectrum as somebody else or hold different views from them. This is as much a challenge here, as it is back in India and in many countries around the world," Dr Murthy said.

Indian-American Congressmen Dr Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna and Pramila Jayapal addressed the gathering and greeted the community on the occasion. PTI

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