U.S. Ambassador Sergio Gor Celebrates Diwali at American Embassy in New Delhi
NEW DELHI–U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor celebrated Diwali at the American Embassy in New Delhi on Thursday, extending holiday greetings to communities observing the festival of lights.
“Great to celebrate Diwali at our Embassy in New Delhi. Wishing all who are observing the holiday a very Happy Diwali!” Gor wrote on X.
The celebration reflects the growing recognition of Diwali in the United States, where the festival has become an important cultural and religious occasion for millions of Americans of Indian and South Asian heritage.
Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs, as well as some Buddhist communities, with traditions that vary across religious and cultural groups.
The festival has gained increasing recognition at the highest levels of the U.S. government over the past two decades.
In 2009, President Barack Obama became the first American President to participate in a Diwali celebration at the White House, establishing a tradition that continued under subsequent administrations.
President Donald Trump also hosted a Diwali celebration at the White House on October 21, 2025, highlighting the festival’s significance to Indian American communities.
Recognition of Diwali has expanded beyond the federal government, particularly in states and metropolitan areas with large South Asian populations.
New York City designated Diwali as a public school holiday in 2023, with students receiving their first day off for the festival in 2024.
Indian American communities in New York, New Jersey and the San Francisco Bay Area regularly organize temple celebrations, cultural performances and community gatherings to mark the occasion.
The festival has also received recognition from the U.S. Postal Service, which unveiled a new Diwali Forever stamp at the Indian Embassy in Washington last month.
The Postal Service printed 20 million copies of the stamp, featuring a traditional rangoli design, in response to strong interest and advocacy from the Indian American community.
A USPS official described the print run as “a little bit on the higher side” because of the level of community support.
“We have printed 20 million Rangoli stamps, and we’re very excited for the Indian community to enjoy these,” the official said, noting that stamp collectors were also expected to purchase them.
The new stamp is only the second issued by the Postal Service to commemorate Diwali. The first Diwali stamp was released in 2016.
The official first-day-of-issue ceremony and reception took place at the Embassy of India in Washington, with USPS Vice President Gambhir serving as the dedicating official.
Gor’s celebration in New Delhi adds to the series of diplomatic and government events recognizing Diwali and its importance to Indian communities in the United States and around the world. (Source: IANS)
