Indians celebrate Diwali at New York’s Times Square 

Indians across the United States are celebrating the upcoming Indian festival of lights, Diwali with gusto with a major event at New York City’s iconic Times Square.

Influential public figures like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Indian American State Assemblywoman Jennifer Rajkumar and India’s Consul General Binaya Pradhan joined the celebration, organized by Indian American community leader Neeta Bhasin.

The Consulate General of India in New York shared the event on social media, emphasizing the collaboration between the Indian American community and their American counterparts.

“Diwali @TimesSquare: Indian American Community & American Friends join together at Times Square to celebrate Diwali,” the consulate  posted on X, highlighting the significance of this cultural convergence.

READ: Diwali to become a school holiday in New York (June 27, 2023)

The event underscored the growing importance of Diwali as a cultural moment in the United States, reflecting the Indian diaspora’s contributions across various sectors.

The growing recognition of Diwali’s cultural importance is also evident in New York’s recent decision to declare the festival a public holiday in all city schools, marking a significant milestone in acknowledging the contributions of the Indian diaspora.

Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, the Khalsa Asian American Association hosted another Diwali event, attended by Deputy Consul General Varun Jeph. The celebration in Upper Darby featured appearances from local leaders such as Mayor Edward Brown and Pennsylvania State Senator Tim Kearny.

The Indian Consulate in Pennsylvania expressed its gratitude on social media, saying, “Thank you @UpperDarbyPA Mayor Ed Brown and PA State Senator Tim Kearny @SenTimKearney for joining the celebrations and for your support to the Indian American community & fostering India-US ties.”

With an Indian-origin population of approximately 4.4 million, the Indian-American community has emerged as one of the most successful immigrant groups in the country, excelling in various fields. Besides a growing cultural influence, Indian Americans are also making a mark in politics  in their adopted home.