Highlights:
- Los Angeles City Hall illuminated for the first time to celebrate Diwali.
- Event organised by City Councilmember Nithya Raman with Indian Consulate’s support.
- Former LA Mayor and current US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti attended.
- Trump celebrated Diwali at the White House, calling PM Modi a “great friend.”
- US lawmakers introduced a resolution recognising Diwali’s cultural significance.
Los Angeles City Hall was illuminated for the first time ever to celebrate Diwali, marking a historic moment for the city’s Indo-American community. The special celebration was hosted by the Los Angeles City Council in collaboration with the Consulate General of India. The event was organised by Nithya Raman, the first Indian-American to serve on the City Council.
The ceremony featured the lighting of traditional lamps, along with Indian music and dance performances. Council members Nithya Raman, John Lee, and Tim McOsker presented a Diwali Proclamation and welcomed the new Consul General of India in Los Angeles, K J Srinivasa. The event symbolised growing cultural recognition and closer ties between the Indian community and the city.
Eric Garcetti, former Los Angeles Mayor and current US Ambassador to India, attended the event along with several Indian community leaders. The illumination of City Hall was seen as a gesture of friendship, representing light, hope, and unity between the Indian and American communities.
The Indian Consulate expressed gratitude to the City of Los Angeles for recognising the Indian diaspora’s contributions to the city’s multicultural fabric. Many residents also joined the celebration, which highlighted the collective spirit of Diwali.
Meanwhile, Diwali celebrations also took place at the White House, where US President Donald Trump participated in the lighting of diyas. He extended his greetings to Indians and Indian-Americans and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a “great person” and “a great friend.”
Speaking on the occasion, Trump said, “In a few moments, we’ll light the diya as a symbol of faith in the victory of light over darkness... It’s knowledge over ignorance and good over evil.” He noted that the Diwali flame serves as a reminder “to seek the path of wisdom and always give thanks for our blessings.”
The White House ceremony was attended by senior officials, including FBI Director Kash Patel, ODNI Director Tulsi Gabbard, Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai, and ambassadors Vinay Mohan Kwatra and Sergio Gor. Prominent Indian-American business leaders were also part of the celebration, reflecting the community’s growing presence in US-India relations.
Earlier this week, US Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi and Brian Fitzpatrick introduced a bipartisan resolution in the House of Representatives to recognise the religious and cultural significance of Diwali. The resolution honours the festival’s importance for over three million Indian-Americans and acknowledges the diaspora’s vital role in enriching American society.
