In a first, the United Nations headquarters celebrated Diwali with its building lit up in bright colors and the words 'Happy Diwali' along with an image of a diya projected on it. The UN Secretariat that remained illuminated from October 29 to 31, is the first time the world body celebrated the Indian festival of lights after the General Assembly adopted a resolution in December 2014 acknowledging the "significance of Diwali".
India's Ambassador to the UN, Syed Akbaruddin tweeted an image of the building saying, "Lighting up @UN lights up for #Diwali for 1st time." He also sent out another tweet thanking General Assembly President Peter Thomson for the initiative. It read, "Happy Diwali! @UN celebrates Diwali for 1st time. Thank you @UN_PGA for this initiative." Thomson too tweeted a picture of the UN building lit up in bright blue, with a caption that read, "Light over darkness, hope over despair, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil- the UN lights up. Happy Diwali!"
India dedicated this year's Diwali to the soldiers guarding the borders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spent the festival with soldiers on duty, as he visited border posts in Himachal Pradesh. "they say you should celebrate Diwali with your people and that's why I have come here to celebrate Diwali with you all," he told soldiers of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police at the Sumdo forward post close to the border with China. "We the people of India sleep peacefully because you guard our borders," he said. Modi had celebrated his first Diwali since coming to power in 2014 with soldiers posted in Siachen, and in 2015, he celebrated it at the India-Pakistan border in Punjab.
The Hindu festival was celebrated with fervour all across the globe with fervour and charm. Diwali celebrations in the UK started with the Mayor's Diwali in Trafalgar Square on Sunday 16 October, followed by a reception by PM Theresa May. Most temples such as Neasden, Kingsbury, ISKCON celebrate Diwali at their premises, which was attended by thousands of devotees. Ealing and Wembley in London flaunted the Diwali lights, while streets in Leicester and Birmingham were also decorated to celebrate the festival. Organisations such as Hindu Forum of Britain organised their Diwali reception at the Parliament (see page 15-17), while corporates like PWC hosted their Diwali celebrations at their offices, which was attended by many distinguished guests. Along with Diwali, UK also celebrated Kali puja in various parts of the country.
The US White House also marked Diwali, with President Obama lighting a tradition diya in the Oval Office. (See Page 23). Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, who enjoys a wide fan following in the Indian-American community, greeted Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains across the world on the occasion. Her office released a statement saying, "On Sunday, nearly a billion Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists around the world, including more than two million Americans, will celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights. For members of these faiths, lighting the lamp is a reminder that light prevails over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil." She added, "Here in the United States, it is a tribute to the Indian American community that Diwali is celebrated with such beauty and joy. Regardless of our personal faith, Diwali reminds us that diversity is one of our greates strengths as a nation, that light prevails over darkness, and that dharma- righteousness or goodness, must guide us toward a better tomorrow."
Singapore MPs mark Diwali in sarees
PULAU UJONG: The entire world was caught up in the Diwali festivities. Marking the Hindu festival, sixteen female members from the Singapore Parliament not only put on colorful sarees, but also posed for Singapore-based Tamil newspaper Tamil Murasu's special Diwali edition.
A report said the Members of Parliament readily agreed to be a part of the initiative which was aimed to "connect with the Indian community." The members included veteran parliamentarians like Senior Minister of State for Finance and Law Indranee Rajah, and others such as Cheryl Chan, and Cheng Li Hui. Indranee, member for Tanjong Pagar GRC told a local media source that "she felt it was a very nice way for the MPs to connect with the Indian community, adding that the sari was a cultural symbol that could be shared with those of other races."
