A celebration of the Festival of Lights or Diwali took place on Capitol Hill Tuesday.
Indian American lawmakers celebrated with top Biden administration officials with many praising the contributions of the Indian American community.
Diwali is a celebration of light conquering darkness. During a time of increased political polarization, that message takes on added meaning.
“One of the things that concerns me most about the last few years is another type of pandemic, the invisible pandemic that we are in the midst of,” said Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, according to Tribune India. “That’s a pandemic of polarization where it feels increasingly people have turned against each other, where they’ve demonized one another, called each other evil, and treated each other as so. That’s a particular kind of darkness.”
Many pointed to the many Indian Americans in public service as a ray of light. They say it’s a sign of the increased integration of Hindu Americans into U.S. society.
“We have come a long way as a community where someone can easily say today as I do, that I am a proud Hindu American, that I am proud of celebrating Diwali, that the Hindu American culture has enriched America and the world,” said Rep Ro Khanna (D-CA), reported American Bazaar.
“I think of Diwali as a time of sustenance … the food, the lights, and a community event. To find sustenance in the things we grew up with which make us who we are today, and that is why the work of Indiaspora is important,” said Rep Pramila Jayapal (D-WA).
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