(Image source from: NDTV.com)
The United States Department of State on Monday organized its first ever Diwali celebrations at the State Department in collaboration with the Embassy of India, Washington D.C.
The Ambassador of India to the U.S. Navtej Sarna and Deputy Secretary of State John J Sullivan were chief guests. More than 200 guests plus officials of the U.S. State Department and the Embassy of India took part in the celebrations.
Ambassador Sarna and Sullivan together lighted the ceremonial lamp and addressed the gathering.
The Deputy Secretary of State on the occasion of Diwali conveyed his greetings to all Indians and thanked the Embassy of India and the South Asian American Employee Association (SAAEA) for organizing the event.
Sullivan mentioned that the uniting theme in the celebration of Diwali is the thread of victory - good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
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He added that the 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, freedom, diversity, and justice.
In his remarks, Ambassador Sarna expressed his appreciation for the initiative taken by the SAAEA for commemorating Diwali at the State Department. He said that the celebration of Diwali at the State Department symbolized the growing people-to-people connect between India and the U.S.
The Indian ambassador to the U.S. as well underscored the improving profile and growing acknowledgment of the contribution of the U.S. citizens of Indian-origin, including within the U.S. State Department. He also made a reference to release of Diwali stamp by the U.S. Postal Service in 2016 in recognition of the close cultural ties and commonalities between the two democracies.
The celebrations comprised a concert of Hindustani classical music played on tabla and sitar. The occasion concluded with the serving of Indian food.
-Sowmya Sangam
