Blinken Calls ‘Diwali a Celebration of Sacred Values’ as State Department Celebrates the Festival of Lights

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Washington DC: “Diwali is a celebration of the most sacred values. Love of family, kindness towards loved ones and strangers alike, forgiveness, grace, new beginnings. The holiday also reminds us of the importance of dharma – good conduct – both in individual interactions, and through service to our communities,” stated US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken during a Diwali celebration on October 26, 2022, in the Benjamin Franklin Room at the State Department.

Appreciating the work of diplomatic corps and civil society members for supporting religious freedom around the world, Blinken emphasized, “Please keep it up. We need your energy. We need your initiative. We need your knowledge. We need your expertise,” while stressing these aspects are important to build mutual respect, expand religious freedom, and to ensure victory over evil.

Deputy Assistant Secretary for India Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Nancy Jackson, who just returned from a week-long trip to India said she missed Diwali celebrations there but enjoyed witnessing the preparations. “I want to thank our guests from the diplomatic corps, the private sector, the media and civil society for celebrating with us today and helping us promote the values of pluralism and tolerance that are at the core of Diwali,” she stated.

Ambassador at Large, Office of International Religious Freedom, Rashad Hussain who thanked Blinken for hosting Diwali celebrations, said, “This is truly an auspicious time, as we’ve marked the confluence of holidays that are so important to so many Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists all over the world,” adding, “We may all come from different backgrounds, religions, and cultures, but I believe we all cherish the triumph of light over darkness, of knowledge over ignorance, and of good over evil.”

Founder of Indiaspora, MR Rangaswami, who introduced Blinken at the event, noted, “As our Indian diaspora in the US grows in size and influence, it is gratifying now to see Diwali is celebrated as a national holiday… from Time Square to the New World Trade Center to Washington DC and beyond.” He recalled that Indiaspora spearheaded the effort to get a US postage stamp for Diwali in 2016 and worked with other organizations to host Diwali at the Library of Congress and on Capitol Hill.

Dr. Ajay Tejasvi of the Art of Living Foundation reminded everyone of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s saying “You are the light. Be a light unto yourself and unto the world,” and stressed that the main purpose of Diwali is to remind ourselves to make our life a celebration.