Calling Diwali more than just a holiday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has urged people to live in the spirit of Ram, Sita and Gandhi to “push away the darkness wherever we see it.”
“We often hear about the greatness of Ram and what Ram represented. He was the power and the force against evil, and he pushed to ensure to rid the entire globe of darkness,” he said at Diwali celebrations hosted by him at his official residence, Gracie Mansion on Oct 18.
“But there was another significant part of the story of Ramayana,” said Adams. “It was Sita. Sita was his other half. She was a woman of strength and integrity. She was willing to sacrifice her life to ensure that Ram was able to accomplish the task.”
“And so as we move forward in a particularly male dominated society, let’s not forget, we will never be able to defeat darkness if we do not acknowledge all the Sitas that are in the universe fighting on behalf and side by side with us,” he said.
READ: New York Mayor Eric Adams hails Indian American community’s contribution (March 4, 2022)
Recalling his visit to India years ago, the Mayor said, “I’ll never forget going to the home of Mahatma Gandhi and seeing his last steps. They were permanently in the sidewalk in the pavement.”
“And it’s symbolic that the bullet took his life, but it’s up to us to continue the journey. His physical transformation through that murder should not stop the spiritual journey,” said Adams.
“And Diwali is more than just a holiday. It is a reminder to all of us that we must push away the darkness wherever we see it and bring light,” he said.
“That is what the festival of lights is about. It’s more than lighting the candle, it’s more than lighting oil. It is lighting up our lives. Add there is so much darkness that we are seeing every day,” Adams said.
READ: Diwali to become a school holiday in New York (June 27, 2023)
“So, we truly believe in the life of Ramayana. If we truly believe in a life of Sita, if we truly believe in the life of Gandhi, then we must continue Gandhi’s steps. We cannot only be worshippers, we must be practitioners,” he said.
“And so as we leave today from under this tent of Gracie Mansion, let’s leave with the energy of taking away the darkness that we are seeing all across our globe and the loss of innocent lives,” Adams said. “We cannot continue to watch this engulf go our future and engulf humanity.”
“Let’s be better human beings, and let’s live in the spirit of Diwali. Let’s live in the spirit of Gandhi. Let’s live in the spirit of Sita. Let’s live in the spirit of Ram. And then we will live up to the expectations of what this holiday really means,” he said.
The Mayor also thanked Indian American Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar “who has been a real partner in moving this important holiday to the forefront” and ensuring “that we will live up to the commitment and promise of this important holiday.”
Rajkumar, the first Indian and first Hindu elected to New York State office, who spearheaded the campaign to declare Diwali as a school holiday, also announced that the Mayor and she will hold a historic, first-ever five‑borough Diwali tour.
“We’re starting here in Gracie Mansion. We’re going to go to Times Square to celebrate Diwali,” she said. “And then we’re going to go to every corner of this city and every borough; and together, we will bring light and prosperity to every corner of this city.”
For the first time Diwali, falling on Nov 12 this year, will be a school holiday in New York.
Deputy Commissioner Dilip Chauhan, Trade, Investment and Innovation, Mayor’s Office of International Affairs, noted more than 80 organizations were participating in the Diwali celebrations.
Pandit Ravi Sivacharya from the Ganesha temple, Flushing, offered prayers and conducted the diya lighting ceremony.
The Mayor also honored several community leaders including Dr. Vasundhara Kalasapudi, for outstanding service for the community; Indo‑American Arts Council Chairman Dr. Nirmal Mattoo for spreading art and culture in New York City, noted physician Dr. Hari Shukla; renowned artist Ustad Kamal Sabri and Grammy nominee Chandrika Tandon.