The annual Diwali celebration in New York City drew a large gathering of the Indian community and local residents to Times Square, transforming the iconic Midtown Manhattan location into a vibrant display of culture and unity.
Prominent figures at the event included NYC Mayor Eric Adams, New York state representative Jenifer Rajkumar, and Consul General Binaya Pradhan, among others. Mayor Adams expressed pride in joining the Indian community for the festivities, stating on Twitter, “What better place to celebrate the festival of lights than in the Crossroads of the World? Proud to be with our Hindu brothers and sisters today for the annual Diwali at Times Square celebration as we push away the darkness and welcome light all across our city.”
This year’s Diwali celebration coincides with the festival date of November 1, attracting attendees to Times Square as they do each year.
Similar celebrations were held in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, where Deputy Consul General of India, Varun Jeph, participated in events organized by the Khalsa Asian American Association. Upper Darby Mayor Ed Brown and State Senator Tim Kearney were also in attendance. The Indian Embassy in the US thanked them for their support of the Indian American community and for strengthening India-US relations.
In a landmark announcement in November 2023, the New York State Governor declared Diwali a public school holiday for New York City, emphasizing the city’s rich diversity in religions and cultures. Governor Kathy Hochul stated, “We’re taking an important step to recognize and celebrate this diversity in the school calendar.”
With over 4.8 million Indian Americans residing in the United States, nearly half live in just four states: California, Texas, New Jersey, and New York.