Washington, DC: The Indian-American community is emerging as a small but influential one in the US. Ahead of the Hindu festival of Diwali some US Lawmakers and top Joe Biden administrations officials celebrated with the community.
Led by Indian American lawmakers, top members serving in the Biden administration and a select group of Indian 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-19 world.
The Capitol Hill Diwali celebration was organised by Indiaspora in association with several community organisations.
Remembering the teachings of his mother, US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said Diwali 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.
Indian American Congressmen Dr Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna and Pramila Jayapal addressed the gathering and greeted the community on the occasion.
“I’m very proud to say that I’m the first South Asian American woman ever elected to the United States House of Representatives. Hopefully I’m not going to be the last and there are going to be many, many more of us to come,” Jayapal said. The Congresswoman also said that the last three months have been rough for her and her family.
Congresswoman Judy Chu said that President Joe Biden has appointed a record number of Indian Americans in his administration.
“President Biden is ushering in a new era of Asian Americans, especially Indian American representation. For instance, he named Dr Vivek Murthy to serve on his cabinet as a Surgeon General. Just last week, he made the historic move to name Neera Tanden as a White House staff secretary, one of the highest positions in the White House,” she said.
“And of course, just one year ago, we shattered one of the highest glass ceilings of all when Kamala Harris, the daughter of an Indian immigrant, was sworn in as the first woman Asian and Black vice president in history,” she said.
Popular African American singer Mary Milben, who especially flew in from California to attend the Diwali celebrations, mesmerised the select audience with her rendition of “Om Jai Jagdish Hare” which went viral last year.
