More than two million people in the US celebrate Diwali every year.
AB Wire
More than 30 members of Congress joined to celebrate the accomplishments of the Indian American diaspora at the annual Diwali event on the Capitol Hill, the seat of US legislature.
The event was organized by Congressmen Ami Bera (D-CA) and George Holding (R-NC), the co-chairs of the Caucus on India and Indian Americans and was attended by more than 1,000 people.
The annual celebration, which attracts people and Indian American organizations from all over the country to meet with members of Congress and other elected officials, celebrates the contributions of the South Asian community in business, technology, health care, arts, academics, and other sectors.
Diwali is celebrated by nearly a billion people around the world and more than two million people in the US.
Speaking on the occasion, Bera said that the event celebrated “who we are and all that our community has accomplished”.
“Over the next decade, I look forward to making DC the hub for connecting members of the community not just from the surrounding region, but across the country to celebrate our progress and talk about the future.”
Bera also said that the United States and India had been building a partnership to make both the nations safer and stronger.
“The Indian American Community has been playing a key role in building needed ties between our two countries, and I congratulate the volunteers who worked to make this year’s Diwali celebration in Washington a success. In the coming year, I look forward to continuing to strengthen the bonds between our countries”, Bera added.
The dignitaries attended the event included Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Ed Royce (R-CA).