Diwali celebrated by US Congress

The US Congress celebrated Diwali with more than 1000 Indian American invitees, including Guyanese and other Caribbean people, attending.

Congressman Ami Bera and Congressman George Holding celebrate Diwali with members of the Indian American Diaspora

Diwali has been celebrated annually in Congress and at the White House over the past 15 years. Some 30 members of Congress partook in the celebrations last Wednesday evening. The event was used to celebrate the accomplishments of the Indian American Diaspora.

The annual celebration, which attracts people and organisations from all over the US, was organised this year by Congressman Ami Bera and Congressman George Holding, Democratic and Republican co-chairs of the Caucus on India and Indian Americans.

The Members of Congress say Diwali at Capitol Hill provides an opportunity to meet with members of Congress and other elected officials to celebrate the contributions of the South Asian community in medicine, business, technology, health care, arts, academics and much more.

Bera, the lone Indian American Congressman, and one of only two Hindus in the august body, in a release about the event said that the event celebrated “who we are and all 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. 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.”

US President Barack Obama celebrates Diwali at the White House later in the month. Guyanese Americans were invited to past celebrations.