Highlights:
Governors in five US Pacific Northwest states and mayors in more than 20 cities have hosted Diwali celebrations for the first time at state capitols, government residences, and city halls, highlighting the growing recognition of the Indian-American community and its contributions to the region.
The celebrations, which began in mid-October, will continue until November 10, when the Governor of Oregon is scheduled to host the final ceremony at the State Capitol in Salem, according to a statement issued by the Consulate General of India in Seattle on Thursday.
The events brought together US senators, members of Congress, local mayors and Indian-American community leaders. Political representatives praised the community's contributions to their respective states, particularly through business, professional work, public service and civic engagement. They also highlighted the importance of cultural diversity and maintaining traditions.
Among the governors who addressed the celebrations was Idaho Governor Brad Little, who spoke at an event at the Idaho State Capitol last month.
Little said Idaho was proud to have a “vibrant Indian community that contributes very much to our state through their businesses, professions, service and civic involvement”.
He added that Indian Americans helped strengthen the state's economy and made local communities better places to live, work and raise families.
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen also recognized the community's role during a Diwali celebration at the Governor's Mansion in Lincoln on October 20.
Describing the Indian community as an “incredibly vital piece of who we are as the people of Nebraska”, Pillen encouraged families to preserve their cultural traditions.
“It's really important that you keep these traditions alive in your families. Never, ever, ever let the light go out!” he said.
North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong addressed a gathering at the Governor's Residence in Bismarck on October 29. He emphasised the importance of celebrating relationships and friendships between communities.
“We should celebrate these relationships. We should celebrate these friendships,” Armstrong said.
He also described diversity as a strength and said the relationship between the state and the Indian-American community extended beyond cultural engagement.
“Diversity is our strength... We're going to continue this relationship because it's a fantastic one, at an international level, at a trade level, at a state-to-state level, at a diplomatic level, but most importantly, a human level,” he said.
Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson also addressed a Diwali celebration at the Rotunda of the State Capitol in Olympia on November 4.
Ferguson highlighted the state's large Indian-American population and its growth over the previous decade.
“We are proud to be home to one of the largest shares of Indian Americans in the country. And during the previous decade, we had the fastest-growing Indian American population in the entire country. And we have seen this community contribute so much to our state,” he said.
Diwali celebrations across Greater Seattle
The celebrations extended beyond state-level events. In Washington, 22 cities in the Greater Seattle area, which is home to nearly 200,000 Indian Americans, held individual Diwali ceremonies inside their City Council Chambers.
Mayors presided over lamp-lighting ceremonies attended by city council members. The cities included Auburn, Everett, Marysville, Kirkland, Bellevue, Tukwila, Medina, Bothell, SeaTac, DuPont, Spokane, Issaquah, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Duvall, Tacoma, Mukilteo and Kent.
Further ceremonies are scheduled in Snoqualmie, King County and the City of Seattle on November 10. King County covers 39 cities in the Greater Seattle area.
Several state and city governments also issued official proclamations recognizing Diwali as a festival symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness. These proclamations acknowledged the Indian-American community's contributions to the economic and cultural enrichment of their regions and highlighted continued partnerships with the Consulate General of India in Seattle.
Washington has also taken a step towards formal recognition of the festival. In February, the state Senate passed a bill recognizing Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas as state observances. These are non-legal holidays, rather than official public holidays.
The Consulate General of India in Seattle worked closely with Indian-American community leaders to organize and co-host the celebrations across the six states and 22 cities mentioned in its statement.
The events mark a significant public recognition of Indian-American cultural traditions, with elected officials bringing Diwali celebrations into the institutions and civic spaces of local and state government.
