As Indians across celebrate the first day of Diwali, one of the most auspicious festivals for Hindus, President Barrack Obama released a statement for Indian-Americans.
"To those celebrating Diwali, I wish you, your families and loved ones Happy Diwali and Saal Mubarak...Today, here at home and across the globe, Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists will celebrate the holiday of diwali, the festival of lights. Diwali is a time for gathering with family and friends, often marked with good food and dancing," as reported by the Economic Times.
The president recalled the tragic shooting at the Sikh Temple in Wisconsin, saying "In the wake of that horrible tragedy, we saw the resilience of a community that drew strength from their faith and a sense of solidarity with their neighbours, Sikh and non-Sikh alike," Obama said, "We also saw compassion and love, in the heroic actions of the first responders and the outpouring of support from people across the country. Out of a day of sadness, we were reminded that the beauty of America remains our diversity, and our right to religious freedom,"
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, can be translated into "row of lights," is one of the grandest Hindu Festivals. It's also known as many as the Indian New Year.
Today is first day of the festival of lights. The Indian-American community celebrated the festival in the big Apple with its signature fire-works and street fairs.
The festival is marked by a four-day celebration, with each day signifying a particular theme. During this festival, people light a number of clay lamps all around their homes and community.
The celebration in New York commenced from Late October with a number of Indian restaurants offer special Diwali festive menus and cocktail parties. The up-scale Indian restaurant Junoon had a colorful performance to complement the special menu.
Queens Museum of Art hosted a special gallery and set of events on Sunday, particularly for kids in honor of the holiday.
The K Lounge on Fifth Avenue is celebrating with a special Annual Diwali Bash.
"As hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers celebrate Diwali tomorrow, our streets will literally illuminate in celebration of the festival of lights - and the triumph of good over evil," New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, said in a statement released a on nyc.gov statement. "When Indian-Americans in the five boroughs and all those celebrating in the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities ring in the New Year by decorating their homes with festive lanterns and exchanging delicious mithai during this joyous holiday, we are all reminded that the energy, diversity and freedom of our city are its biggest strength. Together - with continued hard work - we can make sure that our brightest days are still ahead. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I want to wish everyone celebrating a Happy Diwali."
According to the New York Times, this is the sixth year in a row that the city celebrates the festival on such a scale.
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