Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, the Sikhs , the Jains and the Buddhists by more than 1 billion people by 1 billion people worldwide mostly Indian and South asian-americans as well as other diverse races and ethnicities. they constitute a vital part of the village of Mount Prospects. the ethnic and social Fabric and whose cultures have enriched our community. The word Diwali is a shortened version of the Sanskrit word Deepawali, which means a row of lamps the flame of the lamp signify the Triumph of light over Darkness knowledge over ignorance good over evil and hope over fear. Diwali is celebrated over 5 days during which oil lamps or diets are lit and placed around the home where as celebrants reflect and pray for knowledge peace and Universal well-being. Diwali also marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year which is celebrated with Gatherings gifts Suites and traditions such as decorating floors with colorful Rangoli art and whereas on November 1st our Indian and South Asian American neighbors will come together and celebrate their Rich Heritage and traditions which promote inclusivity and cultural correctness throughout the village and whereas the village of Mount Prospect recognizes the significance of the historic holiday of Diwali and its message of Tolerance, compassion and the Victory of good over evil which resonates with the American Spirit for sure. Therefore I Paul William Hoefert, the mayor of Mount Prospect do hereby recognize Diwali which is the Festival of Lights as an important holiday in the village of Mount Prospect and encourage all residents of all faiths to join our Hindu, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhist communities in a day of global observance of Diwali, the Festival of Lights and with that I would ask you if you’d like to say a few words please certainly come forward you’re all welcome together at the podium if you like.
Rakesh Malhotra, the President of Global Indian Diaspora Foundation Speaking:
Thank you so much. it’s my honor and privilege to be part of this meeting consecutively for the second time I was here last year also and I represent as a president of the global Indian Foundation based in Chicago. Global Indian diaspora Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to amplifying the voice of the Indian diaspora and working towards strong US-India partnership. we aim to drive Innovation address Global challenges and celebrate Indian Heritage serving as a vital link between the diaspora and both governments through strategic advocacy public private partnership the G Foundation enhanced economic cultural and social ties Guided by our Moto connecting cultures and empowering trade we strive to ensure the Indian diaspora’s role in building a prosperous interconnected Global future we are so thankful to the Village of Mount Prospectus Mount Prospect and mayor offer for recognizing Diwali and giving us the proclamation signifying the importance of the Diwali the Hindu festival of Life draws people of all ages and backgrounds into a shared celebration presenting boundaries to honor the time of light over darkness and good over hell but beyond the fireworks and Street lies a more profound Journey a cell to embrace wisdom gratitude and unity in the life that Diwali friends Diwali remind us that we do we do not exist in isolation by exchanging sweets and lights diasas together we rekindle connections meant relationships and make space for understanding the festival is a call to dispel grudges forgive past mistakes and renew our commitment to one another the sweetness of Diwali FS becomes symb symbolic representing the renewal of friendship and sharing of Joy urging us to approach one another with the warm and the kindness they just mention about the significance of lighting the lamps diasas so when we light diasas we are reminded to cultivate balance each the invite us to pause reflect and reconnect with our core values our says which means lead us from the darkness to the light this Mantra from the vas resonates deeply with the Diwali Ence it invokes the Divine to guide us from Darkness to ignorance darkness of ignorance to the light of wisdom compassion and Truth Diwali remind us the true celebration lies not in what we receive but in the light we share with others rekindling bonds spreading joy and creating un Unity through acts of kindness Diwali teaches us that every life every moment in every action can carry the glow of w wisdom kindness and hope in this way we have Diwali within us celebrating the festival as an annual event and a Daily Commitment it’s an annual event and a Daily Commitment to life with purpose compassion happiness and joy by honoring the spirit of Diwali we illuminate our lives and the lives of those around us becoming a beckon in a word that can often seen shrouded in darkness in the end as Diwali remind us it is the collective light it is the collective light the light of love the light of service the light of wisdom that has power to transform the world thank you so very much I’m very grateful to all the trustees and the mayor off and the village staff thank you so much wish you happy New Year wish you Happy Diwali and we say sh Diwali which means bless Diwali and blessings for everyone and we are the two democracies which are the oldest and the largest and good thing is that we all are striving towards one word and our is which means we always believe word is one family and we are so happy that we are part of this family today wish you all a very happy Diwali
