Press Release

The co-chairs of the Caucus on India and Indian Americans, Congressmen Ami Bera (D-CA) and George Holding (R-NC), celebrated the accomplishments of the Indian American diaspora at the annual Diwali in DC event.

The annual celebration attracts people and Indian American organizations from all over the country to meet with members of Congress and other elected officials to celebrate the contributions of the South Asian community in business, technology, health care, arts, academics, and much more.

"This event celebrates who we are and all our community has accomplished," Bera said. "Over the next decade, I look forward to making DC the hub for connecting members of the community not just from the surrounding region, but across the country to celebrate our progress and talk about the future."

Close to 1,000 people and more than 30 members of Congress attended the event, including Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Ed Royce (R-CA). Diwali is celebrated by nearly a billion people around the world and more than two million people in the U.S.

"The United States and India have been building a partnership to make both our nations safer and stronger," Holding said. "The Indian-American Community has been playing a key role in building needed ties between our two countries, and I congratulate the volunteers who worked to make this year's Diwali celebration in Washington a success. In the coming year, I look forward to continuing to strengthen the bonds between our countries."

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