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WASHINGTON: Rising coronavirus cases marred Diwali celebrations for Indian-Americans, most of whom stayed indoors and avoided gathering with family and friends.
But for America’s population of more than four million Native Americans, this year is special given the historic election of Kamala Harris as the country’s next vice president.
Harris, 56, is the first Indian-American to be elected vice president of the US She is also the first female vice president, the first black and African-American woman in this position.
But for the coronavirus pandemic and the latest spike in cases, Indian-Americans would have marked this occasion with massive Diwali celebrations across the country.
“Happy Independence Day! Sparkles This festival of lights celebrates new beginnings, the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. This year it feels even more meaningful. Happy Diwali, ”Indian-American actress and comedian Mindy Kaling tweeted on Saturday, in an apparent reference to Harris’s historic victory.
“Kamala Harris, set to become South America’s first vice president of Asia, sends wishes for a Happy Diwali,” CBS News tweeted.
Annual Diwali celebrations in the United States Congress have also been halted due to social distancing and other measures put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Diwali on a weekend typically comes to large gatherings of American Indians across the country and also to a visit to their nearest temples and gurdwaras. This year the festivities in places of religious worship and community centers have been lacking.
However, there was no lack of enthusiasm in celebrating Diwali on the part of Indian Americans, as reflected in social media posts.
“Happy Diwali and celebration of the Festival of Lights to our Indian brothers and sisters. May the coming year be a victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance, ”tweeted Indian-American politician Nikki Haley, former US Ambassador to the United Nations.
“Today is the Festival of Lights (Diwali) in India. May our inner light remain strong and continue to guide us! “Renu Khator, president of the University of Houston, said in a tweet.
According to the Los Angeles Times, in the American Indian community in California, supporters of the Democratic presidential candidacy see this year a special meaning in a holiday that celebrates the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and the defeat of ignorance through knowledge: themes used by both sides in recent elections. But with the victory of the Biden-Harris team, some fans feel a sense of victory that the festival made all the more poignant.
“As they celebrate Diwali, some see the rise of Kamala Harris reflected in stories of good over evil,” the newspaper said in a report.
“This Diwali feels a little more meaningful, especially when we have some hope,” said Mallika Chopra, a Los Angeles author and daughter of prominent Indian-American writer and alternative medicine advocate Deepak Chopra, according to the report.
According to California Assemblyman Ash Kalra, Biden-Harris’s victory gives Diwali new meaning this year.
“It feels like lightness is coming,” he told the newspaper.
According to the American Hindu Political Action Committee, this year, more than ever, Diwali feels like an American holiday! “Happy Diwali everyone!” He said.
Arjit Dutta, a Twitter user, wrote when he went to Walmart to buy some groceries, he was pleasantly surprised to hear Bollywood songs in the store.
“I don’t know if this is the Diwali effect or the Kamala Harris effect! In any case, Happy Diwali everyone! ” he said.
Julian Castro, the former mayor of San Antonio said that as we celebrate the results of the elections and the Diwali festival, we must recognize the importance of this victory for the Indian-American community.
“In addition to being the first black and female vice president, Kamala Harris will be the first Indian-American vice president,” she said.
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But for America’s population of more than four million Native Americans, this year is special given the historic election of Kamala Harris as the country’s next vice president.
Harris, 56, is the first Indian-American to be elected vice president of the US She is also the first female vice president, the first black and African-American woman in this position.
But for the coronavirus pandemic and the latest spike in cases, Indian-Americans would have marked this occasion with massive Diwali celebrations across the country.
“Happy Independence Day! Sparkles This festival of lights celebrates new beginnings, the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. This year it feels even more meaningful. Happy Diwali, ”Indian-American actress and comedian Mindy Kaling tweeted on Saturday, in an apparent reference to Harris’s historic victory.
“Kamala Harris, set to become South America’s first vice president of Asia, sends wishes for a Happy Diwali,” CBS News tweeted.
Annual Diwali celebrations in the United States Congress have also been halted due to social distancing and other measures put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Diwali on a weekend typically comes to large gatherings of American Indians across the country and also to a visit to their nearest temples and gurdwaras. This year the festivities in places of religious worship and community centers have been lacking.
However, there was no lack of enthusiasm in celebrating Diwali on the part of Indian Americans, as reflected in social media posts.
“Happy Diwali and celebration of the Festival of Lights to our Indian brothers and sisters. May the coming year be a victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance, ”tweeted Indian-American politician Nikki Haley, former US Ambassador to the United Nations.
“Today is the Festival of Lights (Diwali) in India. May our inner light remain strong and continue to guide us! “Renu Khator, president of the University of Houston, said in a tweet.
According to the Los Angeles Times, in the American Indian community in California, supporters of the Democratic presidential candidacy see this year a special meaning in a holiday that celebrates the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and the defeat of ignorance through knowledge: themes used by both sides in recent elections. But with the victory of the Biden-Harris team, some fans feel a sense of victory that the festival made all the more poignant.
“As they celebrate Diwali, some see the rise of Kamala Harris reflected in stories of good over evil,” the newspaper said in a report.
“This Diwali feels a little more meaningful, especially when we have some hope,” said Mallika Chopra, a Los Angeles author and daughter of prominent Indian-American writer and alternative medicine advocate Deepak Chopra, according to the report.
According to California Assemblyman Ash Kalra, Biden-Harris’s victory gives Diwali new meaning this year.
“It feels like lightness is coming,” he told the newspaper.
According to the American Hindu Political Action Committee, this year, more than ever, Diwali feels like an American holiday! “Happy Diwali everyone!” He said.
Arjit Dutta, a Twitter user, wrote when he went to Walmart to buy some groceries, he was pleasantly surprised to hear Bollywood songs in the store.
“I don’t know if this is the Diwali effect or the Kamala Harris effect! In any case, Happy Diwali everyone! ” he said.
Julian Castro, the former mayor of San Antonio said that as we celebrate the results of the elections and the Diwali festival, we must recognize the importance of this victory for the Indian-American community.
“In addition to being the first black and female vice president, Kamala Harris will be the first Indian-American vice president,” she said.
