Diwali, which is considered one of the major and auspicious festivals in Hindus and celebrated as a reminder for all to push away darkness and usher in light. During the addressal at the annual Diwali celebration hosted at at his residence New York City Mayor Eric Adams has said, calling on people to embrace the spirit of Lord Ram, Goddess Sita and Mahatma Gandhi and be better human beings.In his remarks from Gracie Mansion came on Tuesday during the annual event. Adams asked people to embrace the endeavour to remove the darkness engulfing the world, which is witnessing the loss of innocent lives.“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. That is what the Festival of Lights is about,” Adams said.Were gearing up for the Festival of Lights! Join us LIVE at Gracie Mansion for our annual Diwali celebration with our Hindu New Yorkers: https://t.co/y6NnRxIDOM— NYC Mayors Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) October 17, 2023According to the sources, hundreds of prominent members of the Indian-American and South Asian communities, as well as diaspora from other nationalities and government officials witnessed the event. while speaking at the event, Adams added that Diwali is more than lighting a candle or oil but about “lighting up our lives”.He further added, “There is so much darkness that we are seeing every day. So if we truly believe in the life of Ramayana, if we truly believe in the life of Sita, if we truly believe in the life of Gandhi, then we must continue Gandhis steps. We cannot only be worshippers we must be practitioners,” he said.Adams said that at a time when there is darkness all across the globe and the world is witnessing the loss of innocent lives, “we cannot continue to watch this engulf our future and engulf humanity.”“Lets be better human beings. Lets live in the spirit of Diwali. Lets live in the spirit of Gandhi. Lets live in the spirit of Sita. Lets live in the spirit of Ram, and then we will live up to the expectations of what this holiday really means,” he added.During the event, the mayor also honoured the prominent members of the Indian-American and diaspora community for their achievements and exceptional contributions to the community. Grammy-nominated musician and renowned business leader Chandrika Tandon geriatric psychiatrist and Executive Director of India Home, a centre for senior care, Dr Vasundhara Kalasapudi Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC) Chairman Nirmal Mattoo, Dr Hari Shukla and musician Ustad Kamal Sabri were among the honourees.
