Washington, DC – Two Congresswomen, Carolyn Maloney (D-NY12) and Grace Meng (D-NY6), joined the newly elected and only Indian American Congressman Ami Bera to mark India’s Republic Day this past weekend by co-sponsoring a resolution to create a Diwali postage stamp.
The Diwali Stamp resolution urges the United States Postal Service (USPS) to create a stamp honoring Diwali, the Indian new year holiday. Congressman Bera noted, “One of the world’s oldest religious holidays, Diwali symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance and it deserves to be honored with a postage stamp of its own.”
“Diwali is observed in America, and throughout the world, by Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, and Buddhists, but the USPS has not yet recognized Diwali with a stamp as it has other major religious holidays such as Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and Eid,” his office added in a statement.
Congressman Bera, who represents Sacramento County in the 113th Congress, celebrated over the weekend at the official residence of Indian Ambassador Nirupama Rao, along with the Indian American community, the day India’s Constitution came into effect in 1950.
Commenting on the celebrations, Congressman Bera said, “I was honored to celebrate Republic Day with Ambassador Rao and other Indian leaders in DC.”
Bera added, “Congratulations to India on 63 years of democracy. As the world’s largest democracy, India has a special relationship with the world’s oldest democracy, the United States.”
Congressman Bera, a first generation American, is a medical doctor and the only Indian American currently serving in Congress. He and his wife Janine live in Elk Grove, California with their 15 year old daughter Sydra.