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You may contact your
Congressman and voice your opinion about the Diwali resolution.
To find out the contact details for your Congressman, visit
www.congress.org
DATE: October
5, 2004
A resolution recognizing
the historical and cultural significance of the Hindu festival
of Diwali was submitted to the United States House of Representatives,
Committee on Government Reform, on October 5, 2004. House
Resolution 816 was introduced by Rep. Joseph Crowley (D,
NY), Democratic Chair of the Congressional Caucus on India
and Indian Americans, and was authored with assistance from
the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) (www.hinduamericanfoundation.org).
"I am pleased to have
introduced this resolution recognizing Diwali,” said
Representative Joseph Crowley (D, NY) Democratic Chair of
the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans as
he introduced the first resolution recognizing a festival
of religious significance to most Indian Americans. “Diwali
is an important day for Indian Americans and Indians around
the world and I am proud to be the sponsor of this resolution,"
Rep. Crowley continued.
| The resolution explains
that Diwali, a variation of the Sanskrit word Deepavali,
refers to the rows of earthen lamps celebrants place around
their homes. Hindus believe that the light from these
lamps symbolizes illumination within the individual that
overwhelms ignorance, represented by darkness. In addition
to the spiritual significance the day holds for Hindus,
the resolution also explains the importance of the day
to Sikhs and Jains. Sikhs celebrate the release of the
Sixth Guru, Hargobind, from captivity by the Mughal Emperor
Jehangir and Jains commemorate Diwali as the day Lord
Mahavira, the last of the Tirthankaras, attained Nirvana,
or liberation, after his death in 527 B.C. |
HAF members with Rep. Joseph
Crowley (D-NY) at HAF reception in U.S. Capitol. |
"Diwali is of immense
significance to Hindu Americans, and this resolution introduced
by Congressman Crowley captures the essence of its spiritual
and historical importance to Hindus, Jains and Sikhs,"
said Aseem Shukla, M.D., Member of the HAF Board of Directors.
The Hindu American Foundation,
that had hosted a reception on Capitol Hill, and met with
several congressmen to discuss issues of concern to Hindu
Americans, approached contacts made during those visits to
consider official congressional recognition of Diwali. With
official assent, HAF proceeded to provide a draft of such
a resolution. "When the co-chairs of the India caucus,
Reps. Crowley and Wilson, agreed to work with HAF to finalize
a resolution on Diwali, we quickly grasped this unique opportunity
to garner official recognition for this most widely celebrated
festival. We have enjoyed an excellent working relationship
with many congressional offices, and we hope to utilize these
contacts to gain widespread support for this resolution,"
said Sheetal Shah, coordinator of the HAF Government Interaction
Project.
The resolution effort was
the latest in a series of actions by HAF to fulfill stated
goals to further understanding of Hinduism and promote the
religion’s tenets of tolerance and pluralism. Mihir
Meghani, M.D., President of HAF, explained that the resolution
was aimed at promoting awareness of the growing Hindu American
community and imparting an official recognition to one of
their most important festivals. "This will not only be
the first time Hindus and all Indian Americans are felicitated
on Diwali, but in a sense, this resolution is a first step
in bringing Diwali into our nation's mainstream.” said
Mihir Meghani, M.D., President of HAF. “Congressman
Crowley has once again demonstrated his sincere commitment
to Hindu American issues by introducing this resolution,"
Dr. Meghani added.
For further information:
please contact HAF.
HAF is a non-profit, tax-exempt
501(c)(3) organization not aligned or affiliated with any
political entity, party or organization.
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