Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that the United States draws significant strength from the rich cultural diversity of its South Asian American community and highlighted a few public servants who contribute at the highest levels. They include Vice President Kamala Harris, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma.
Speaking during the Diwali celebrations on November 1, 2024, at the Benjamin Franklin Room, at State Department Headquarters in Washington DC, Secretary Blinken went on to say that this influence extends beyond public service, with South Asian Americans shaping the nation’s cultural landscape in profound ways that continue to enrich the American experience. He spoke of the literary works of Jhumpa Lahiri to the innovative designs of fashion icon Prabal Gurung.
He also acknowledged that different communities represent a variety of meanings and traditions within the diaspora, and cited Nobel Laureate and Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore captured it best through the phrase, “Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark.”
“As we celebrate Diwali, may we continue to reach for that light when the dawn is dark, may we keep working to shape a world a little bit more peaceful, a little bit more prosperous, and do it together,” added Secretary Blinken. “At its core, Diwali is about the idea that light will push back against darkness, that compassion, curiosity can overcome ignorance, that each of us has an obligation to care for the other. I can’t think of a more powerful lesson to take to heart in this time for our world than that.”
He recalled that 10 years ago the then Secretary of State, John Kerry hosted the first Diwali reception at the State Department. “A decade later, here we are. This annual gathering has become really a time-honored tradition and one that I’m very proud and pleased to continue.”
Secretary Blinken highlighted that more than 1 billion Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs worldwide are marking the festival by decorating homes with vibrant rangoli patterns, hanging flower garlands, and lighting diyas.
“And with Diwali falling on October 31st this year – I understand that there’s some people in the United States who’ve even been throwing ‘Diwalloween,’ parties. And if time permits, we’ll get to one of those,” he said about combining both Halloween and Diwali festivities.
He also expressed gratitude to Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Uzra Zeya; Assistant Secretary Donald Lu; the team at the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs; and the South Asian American Employee Association for organizing the Diwali celebrations. He extended a warm welcome to diplomats, including the Indian Ambassador to the U.S., Vinay Kwatra, as well as representatives from civil society, federal government, and U.S. Congress who were in attendance.
Secretary Blinken, who spoke after Verma, lightened the atmosphere with a quip: “Following Rich Verma at a Diwali celebration is a little bit like coming onstage after Taylor Swift. So, I know what I’m getting into.”
In his welcome address, Verma praised Secretary Blinken as an “inclusive, empathetic, and determined,” leader and continued to share a story from a wedding of a Finance Minister’s daughter in India, Blinken, then Deputy Secretary of State, had attended.
“And there is the Finance Minister, who pulls the Deputy Secretary of State to the side, and they hold a 10-minute bilat [bilateral meeting] on the stage – adjacent to the wedding celebration. So, this is someone who knows how to celebrate at the appropriate time,” Verma said highlighting this as an example of Blinken’s ability to balance celebration with diplomacy.
Ambassador Verma maintained, “For those of us who observe Diwali, this festival is so much more than just a holiday. It is an integral part of our identities, a powerful tradition that carries deep personal meaning and unites families and friends over shared memories, shared experiences, and shared emotions.”
Recalling stories from his parents about celebrating Diwali in Jalandhar, Punjab, with lights and sweets, Ambassador Verma reflected on his own experiences with the festival in the United States.
“I’m reminded of my own family’s upbringing in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where we also celebrated Diwali, enjoying traditional customs in this small town that welcomed us with sweets and colors and so much more. People have said there’s ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians,’ and you had the ‘Jalebis of Johnstown.’”
Ambassador Verma also reminisced about the Diwali celebrations during his time as the US Ambassador to India in cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad. He fondly recalled that “Every Diwali was unique,” adding not only for the vibrant diyas, intricate rangolis, and marigold decorations, but for the remarkable sense of community and togetherness it inspired.
He emphasized that this spirit extends beyond India, as communities across Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Mauritius, Fiji, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago also embrace Diwali traditions. “So we’re celebrating this Diwali with great splendor, bringing so many different communities together with this irresistible aroma of sweets and savories that fills the air,” he said praising the festival’s power to unify across cultures and nations.
Georgetown University’s Studio Rangila presented a cultural performance at the event.
