In his remarks at the annual Diwali celebration held at his New York residence Gracie Mansion on Tuesday, Adams asked people to embrace efforts to remove the darkness that has engulfed the world that is taking innocent lives. He has called upon people to adopt the spirit of Lord Ram, Devi Sita, and Mahatma Gandhi and become better human beings.
Mayor Adams hosts the annual Diwali celebration at his residence in New York
The mayor made a special request to his people
Preparations for Diwali have started across the country. On this occasion, New York City Mayor Eric Adams gave a special message to his countrymen. He has said that Diwali is a reminder to remove darkness and bring light to all. Also, he has called upon people to adopt the spirit of Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, and Mahatma Gandhi and become better people.
Trying to remove the darkness prevailing in the world
In her remarks at the annual Diwali celebration held at her New York residence, Gracie Mansion, on Tuesday, Adams asked people to embrace the effort to remove the darkness that has engulfed the world that is taking innocent lives. “Diwali is so much more than just a holiday. It’s a reminder to all of us that wherever we see darkness, we must remove it and bring in light. That’s what the Festival of Lights is all about,” Adams said.
Officials from many countries participated
Numerous important members of the Indian-American and South Asian communities, as well as expatriates and government representatives from other nations, attend the yearly celebration. Diwali, according to Adams, is about lighting our life rather than just lighting a candle or an oil lamp. Let’s be better people, Adams said. Let’s live in the spirit of Ram, Sita, Gandhi, Diwali, and all the other great people who have inspired us, and we’ll live up to everyone’s expectations.
The Indian-American community becomes powerful
New York State Assemblywoman Jennifer Rajkumar said the Indian-American community has never been as powerful as it is now. “We are invincible and we have reached the table of power in this state,” he said. He said that whatever is going on in the world, in the Middle East where there is terrible violence and hatred and bigotry against different groups, we are the only ones who can pave the way for peace. Our culture is Martin Luther King Jr., who was famously inspired by Gandhi.”
He said, “We feel equal in temple, mosque, church. Being Hindus, we do not discriminate against people who are different from us, rather we go one step ahead and love those people Who are different from us.”
Urge to spread love and peace in the world
Dilip Chauhan, New York City Mayor’s Office Deputy Commissioner for International Affairs, urged people to spread love and peace in their communities and around the world, emphasizing that there is no room for hate in New York City or anywhere else. Chauhan recalled the hard work and efforts of Indian-American community members and city and state officials over the past 20 years to make Diwali a public holiday in New York schools.
Adams, he claimed, had pledged as Brooklyn Borough President that, if elected Mayor of New York, he would make sure that Hindu and Indian-American children did not have to attend school on the day of the Diwali holiday. He has kept his promise, Chauhan declared.
Diwali holiday now fixed in New York
The prince also highlighted the support given by Adams to ensure school holidays in the city on Diwali this year, saying, “He is the Ram of New York City. Like the Ram, he leads when others don’t.” And he leads our city in combating the ills of poverty, hatred, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and apathy.
Because of everything he has accomplished for our community, “we all refer to him as the Hindu Mayor,” he remarked. Adams claimed that Lord Rama was the strength and force against evil and that he served as his inspiration in bringing light to the entire planet.
The mayor spoke of his trip to India and his stop at Gandhi’s residence. “We know a bullet took his life, but it’s up to us to continue the journey,” Adams stated.
Many senior people were honored
On the occasion, the Mayor also honored prominent members of the Indian-American and diaspora community for their achievements and extraordinary contributions to the community. The honorees include Grammy-nominated musician and renowned business leader Chandrika Tandon and Dr. Vasundhara Kalasapudi, geriatric psychiatrist and executive director of senior care center, India Home, Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC) President Nirmal Mattoo, Dr. Hari Shukla and musician Ustad Kamal Sabri.
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