INDIANS IN AMERICA CELEBERATE DIWALI THE FESTIVAL OF LAMPS
DIWALI MELA IN AMERICA NEWS HEADLINES: - More than two million Indian staying in American celebrated Diwali across the United States with the festivities even reaching the White House and the US Congress recognizing the importance of a 'strong and vibrant immigrant community.' The Indian staying in American came together to celebrate the lamp festival of India, the Diwali exactly as they celebrate back here in India. Thousands of Lamps were lit around houses, prayers were offered at homes and in the temples. The Indian families came together, exchanged gifts, gave traditional sweets to friends and associates, and generally had a good time in America.
Diwali melas were held wherever there is a concentration of Indian Americans from California to New York, New Jersey, Texas and Georgia. Amazingly the vendors were seen to sell typical Diwali gifts of ethnic clothing, jewellery, Hindi music CDs and DVDs of Bollywood films. Hindi singers and folk artists performed; bhangra was danced. It looked no different from what happens in India. In Washington, a 15-year-old annual Diwali mela last Sunday drew about 7,000 people despite chilly weather. Sponsored by the Association of United Hindu & Jain Temples (UHJT), it offered food, music and shopping and ended with a large fireworks display to make every one feel they are in India. Another local organisation called BAPS focusing on social service celebrated Diwali over five days with an all vegetarian served to public for free Saturday night. BAPS, which has built a $19 million temple in Atlanta, boasts of 57 centres in North America, up from 18 nine years ago.
South Carolina Representative Joe Wilson, who sponsored the resolution, said it not only marks 'the international, religious and historical importance of the festival of Diwali', but also 'recognizes the importance of Indian Americans - a strong and vibrant immigrant community.' The White House celebrations came days after the US House of Representatives approved a resolution recognizing the significance of Diwali by an overwhelming 358-0 vote on Oct 29, with 204 Democrats and 154 Republicans supporting celebration of Diwali in America. Representative John Tanner of Tennessee said, 'By celebrating Diwali, we also are celebrating this diversity, a shared value that has brought the United States and India closer together throughout the years.'
DIWALI GIVES OFFICIAL PARKING HOLIDAY IN NEW YORK AND HALLMARK DIWALI GREETING CARDS NOW ON SALE
Diwali found mainstream appeal in Houston with the Houston Chronicle noting how businesses are catching on to the popular festival and marketing to the area's growing Indian population. In New York, Diwali was for the second year declared an official 'parking holiday' - when one can park on both sides of a road instead of only one like on normal working days. The decision was seen by New York Daily News religion columnist, Ari Goldman as a sign that 'Hindus 'Arrive' in the City.' In recent years, Hallmark has launched Diwali greeting cards, porcelain figurine maker Lladrohas launched a line of Hindu deities and Wells Fargo and Citibank are running special promotions. Some companies are also using the time to build goodwill with clients and employees with celebrations and season's greetings, the paper said.
