Congresswoman spearheading effort to get nod from USPS.
By American Bazaar Staff
NEW YORK: As the festival of Diwali draws near, there is yet another frenzied lobbying by the Indian community to get a commemorative stamp out, a goal they have been trying for years now. But there is renewed hope this year, as there are some prominent politicians who are spearheading the effort, including Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY-12).
Maloney, who has addressed the issue earlier also this year, came out this time at the Indian Consulate today, to urge the community to strive and get the nod from the Citizen’s Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) of the United States Postal Service (USPS) to issue a commemorative Diwali stamp.
“It is high time the USPS issues a Diwali stamp,” said Maloney, talking about the significance of the festival, which is the most important festival for the Hindus.
Pointing out that there are commemorative stamps for Christmas, Chanukah, Kwaanza, and Eid, she said a Diwali stamp would officially recognize the size and significance of the country’s Indian American population, which comprises over three million people, and would provide the USPS with sorely needed revenue, according to a press release issued by her office.
In January, Maloney introduced a resolution in the US House of Representatives that CSAC issue a Diwali stamp. She earlier wrote letters to the CSAC in 2010 and 2012 requesting the same action.
Prominent Indian American community leaders who attended the meet at the Consulate included Ranju Batra, President of the Association of Indians in America – NY, Ravi Batra, an attorney and chair of the National Advisory Council on South Asian Affairs, and Lakshmi Puri, Acting Executive Director of UN Women.
Ranju Batra pointed out in a speech that the effort to get the stamp issued has received the support of Reps. Eliot Engel, Steve Israel, Greg Meeks, Yvette Clarke, Grace Meng, Ami Bera and Tulsi Gabbard.
“The time is now to get as much support as possible, as the USPS’ CASC will make its recommendations later this month,” said Ranju Batra.
Ravi Batra also pointed out the potential revenue source for the US Postal Service and said that if a Diwali stamp were to be issued, it would “finally acknowledging Hindus here at home and abroad.”
A statement issued by Gabbard said: “It is only appropriate that we commemorate this widely observed holiday and its place in our nation’s rich tapestry of religious and cultural diversity.”