Diwali has been made an optional holiday.
For the first time, United Nations celebrated Diwali – the festival of lights – with the Secretariat Building lit up with “Happy Diwali†message to commemorate the Indian festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil.
India’s Ambassador to the UN Syed Akbaruddin tweeted, “Lighting up. @UN lights up for #Diwali for 1st time.”
The UN headquarters was lit in bright colorful lights with the word Happy Diwali flashing along with a diya.
In another tweet, Akbaruddin thanked the President of UN General Assembly Peter Thomas for coming up with the initiative. “Happy Diwali! @UN celebrates Diwali for 1st time. Thank you @UN_PGA for this initiativeâ€
Akbaruddin also took a picture of New Yorkers clicking the pictures of the UN headquarters, illuminated with words Happy Diwali and posted it on Twitter.
Soon Thomas also tweeted a picture of UN headquarters and wrote “Light over darkness, hope over despair, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil – the UN lights up. Happy Diwali!”
The United Nations Secretariat Building lit in bright hue from October 29-31 when Indians across the world celebrate Diwali, the festival that signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair.
This is the first time that the UN is celebrating Diwali, this after the General Assembly passed a resolution in December 2014 to recognize the significance of Diwali.
After observing that many countries celebrate Diwali, the resolution called on the UN bodies to declare the day as a no-meeting day so that no meetings will be held on the particular day.
In a video posted by India’s Permanent Mission to the UN it says, starting from this year, Diwali has been made an optional holiday.
This is not the first time that the UN is celebrating an Indian Festival. Earlier in June, the UN Headquarters was lit up with yoga poses to celebrate the International Yoga Day.
Social Media Update
The #Diwali selfie spot in New York on 30-31 October evening is @UN Headquarters.
Share your photos #Diwali@UN pic.twitter.com/BrVga3YViO— Syed Akbaruddin (@AkbaruddinIndia) October 30, 2016
Happy Diwali!@UN celebrates Diwali for 1st time.
Thank you @UN_PGA for this initiative. pic.twitter.com/vPNaZojCj0— Syed Akbaruddin (@AkbaruddinIndia) October 29, 2016
The novelty of #Diwali lighting @UN draws selfie seekers late into the night. pic.twitter.com/9pirKnMScy
— Syed Akbaruddin (@AkbaruddinIndia) October 31, 2016
Quest for the right angle.
A photo enthusiast tries to capture the #Diwali lighting @UN late at night. pic.twitter.com/aMIWlZalDv— Syed Akbaruddin (@AkbaruddinIndia) October 31, 2016