Washington:
Greater than two dozen lawmakers and eminent Indian People celebrated Diwali on the Capitol, the primary main occasion on the US Congress after final week’s presidential elections.
The annual “Diwali at Capitol Hill” on Tuesday was organised by the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, in affiliation with a number of different Indian American organisations together with the Hindu American Basis, Sikhs for America, Jain Affiliation of North America, and Artwork of Residing.
President-elect Donald Trump is ready to imagine workplace after successful the presidential election final week.
Talking on the Diwali celebration, Senator Rand Paul stated the US is a land of immigrants which attracts the perfect and brightest around the globe, underscoring that they mix to make America an amazing nation.
“I am an enormous advocate of extra lawful immigration and have many payments to increase that, and I’ll hold engaged on that. Have a very good Diwali,” Paul stated.
Greeting Indian People on the event, Mississippi Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith stated she appears to be like ahead to the nice subsequent 4 years. “We wish to simply present prosperity for this nation, for individuals who wish to search for one thing new, to do one thing new,” she stated.
“We simply wish to encourage you that we wish to have a secure ambiance. We would like an amazing economic system. We would like a protected place for everyone to have the ability to elevate your loved ones,” she stated, addressing the gathering which additionally included India’s Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra.
“That is an Indian pageant which is embraced and celebrated the world over. Your presence right here, the presence of so many congressmen and senators has made all of it essentially the most particular. It’s a reflection of their dedication to the connection. Your presence there’s a reflection of the vital position that you simply at this pageant place within the relationship,” Kwatra stated in his tackle.
Congressman Shri Thanedar, who was re-elected from the thirteenth Congressional district of Michigan final month, stated in his first time period he was in a position to kind Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist caucuses for the primary time in Congressional historical past.
“There’s rather a lot that must be achieved. I am working with the State Division on the assaults on Hindu temples and ensuring our group is protected all throughout America. I am additionally working with the State Division on the atrocities on the Hindus in Bangladesh,” Thanedar stated.
Congressman Tom Souzzi from New York referred to the latest assaults on Hindu temple in Lengthy Island. “I spoke on the ground of the Congress, and I stated that when Indian People, Hindu People, place their fingers like this and say namaste, they’re actually recognising the divinity and the respect they’ve for the individual in entrance of them, and we want extra of that in our nation in the present day,” he stated.
In his tackle, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi stated, “You’re the fastest-growing ethnic minority in America. You’re the most affluent, the perfect educated. One out of each seven medical doctors is a Desi.”
“The phrases of help tonight are coming from members of Congress who drastically admire every of you taking time, not simply to be at this Diwali occasion for an additional lovely 12 months, however of the 12 months that has been so monumental within the development and alternative for therefore a lot of you right here in america of America,” Congressman Pete Periods stated in his remarks.
Congressman Dan Meuser recollected the joint tackle to the Congress by Prime Minister Narendra Modi final 12 months and stated he did a beautiful job.
“It stayed with me simply how nicely he spoke in regards to the significance of the American Indian relationship, the way it wants to enhance for financial causes, and for nationwide safety causes, and an general peace for our world,” he stated.
“Our relationship will proceed to develop. It’s totally, essential. We have now a brand new president and a brand new Senate. We hope to be united, work collectively, discover frequent floor, and do what’s finest for america, for India, for the world,” Meuser stated.
Former Home Majority Chief Congressman Steny Hoyer applauded the contribution of Indian People to the nation’s progress. “On this Diwali, I come right here to thank every certainly one of you. America is stronger and higher for these of you who got here from India and who love America and who serve our fellow residents,” he stated.
“We all know that our Indian American group is certainly one of our success tales. It is part of the vibrancy of our unimaginable economic system and so many communities…to the households throughout America recognising and celebrating Diwali, we salute you tonight,” stated Congresswoman Haley Stevens.
(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is printed from a syndicated feed.)