Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and First Lady Suzanne Pillen hosted a Diwali celebration at the Governor’s Mansion in Lincoln on October 20, 2026, bringing together state leaders, Indian American community members and friends of India.
Attendees included Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly, Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, Nebraska Secretary of State Robert Evnen, U.S. Rep. Don Bacon and India’s Consul General in Seattle, Prakash Gupta. They participated in the ceremonial lighting of a diya, or traditional lamp, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, according to a statement from the Consulate General of India in Seattle.
Pillen and other officials extended Diwali greetings and recognized the Indian American community’s contributions to Nebraska’s professional, economic and community life. The consulate described the gathering as a reflection of growing recognition of India’s cultural heritage and the community’s role in strengthening ties between India and Nebraska.
The statement also linked the celebration to earlier cultural outreach efforts. In December 2024, Pillen unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln. According to the consulate, the installation and the Diwali gathering reflect expanding cultural connections and shared values between India and Nebraska.
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The Nebraska event was part of a broader series of Diwali celebrations organized by the Seattle consulate across states within its jurisdiction, including Idaho, Nebraska, Montana, North Dakota, Washington and Oregon, as well as at several city halls in Washington state.
The consulate said the events highlighted increasing recognition of Diwali in the United States and the cultural and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
