Los Angeles City Hall Reverberates With The Colors And Sounds Of Diwali
India-West Staff Reporter
LOS ANGELES, CA – Los Angeles City Hall hosted an event for members of the Indian diaspora and the Consulate General of India on Diwali.
The celebration featured the lighting of traditional lamps, music and dance performances, and the handing over of the Diwali proclamation.
During the celebration, India’s new Consul General in Los Angeles, K.J. Srinivasa, was welcomed by city council members Nithya Raman, John Lee, and Tim McOsker in the presence of the former Los Angeles Mayor and popular Ambassador of the US to India, Eric Garcetti.
Garcetti, known for integrating himself while in India, came clad in a white kurta and was seen dancing to the beats of Indian drums.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also tweeted, “City Hall shines bright in celebration of Diwali! The Festival of Lights calls for renewal and the triumph of light over darkness. Let this Diwali inspire us to embrace compassion, kindness, and continue the work toward a brighter future for all.”
Srinivasa said, “It is indeed a matter of honour and privilege for me to join you all today at this Los Angeles City Hall. This is such a historic occasion, the celebration of Diwali in this iconic city.”
He noted that City Hall marking the festival of light deeply touched the hearts of millions of Indians and friends of India around the world. Diwali, he said, celebrates the time of “good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance.”
“This celebration here today indeed reflects the inclusive spirit of Los Angeles, a city that embraces all cultures and celebrates their contributions,” Srinivasa stated.
Appreciating the vibrant Indian American community, he said that through their hard work, innovation and values, they have become an integral part of the city’s social and economic fabric,
“As we light the ceremonial lamps today to symbolize our collective aspiration for peace, harmony and prosperity, we also reaffirm the growing bonds of friendship between India and the United States and between the people of India and the people of Los Angeles,” the Consul General emphasized.
“We want to help this to sustain in the future, may the life of Diwali inspire us to build bridges of understanding and to illuminate the path of progress for all of us here,” he added. (with IANS inputs)
