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Mayor Eric Adams hosts Diwali celebration at Gracie Mansion
The event brought together a diverse group of New Yorkers, showcasing the city's commitment to embracing cultural traditions and promoting unity.
Screengrab from the event / Image- X (@NYCMayor)
New York City Mayor Eric Adams welcomed over 1,000 guests to Gracie Mansion on Oct. 24, 2024, for the annual Diwali celebration, a vibrant event that highlighted the city's cultural diversity and community spirit.
This year's celebration marked another milestone as Diwali was officially recognized as a citywide school holiday, following a campaign led by State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar.
Rajkumar praised the mayor’s commitment to the Indian American community, stating, "They actually call him the Hindu mayor. When I went to him and said, 'Mayor, we need to make Diwali a school holiday,' he said, 'Yes, we will, and yes we must, because anything is possible.'" She also recalled his support in standing with the community during a hate crime incident at Tulsi Mandir, where he ensured it was classified as an anti-Hindu crime.
@NYCMayor
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) October 24, 2024
Happy Diwali from the People's House!
Join us LIVE to watch our festival of lights celebration alongside our Hindu community: https://t.co/4b5W0M95Rg
"Mayor Adams is like Arjuna from the Mahabharata," Rajkumar said, comparing the mayor’s focus and dedication to Arjuna’s famed ability to see only the eye of the bird in the epic. "He focuses on making lives better here in New York City."
Mayor Adams expressed his appreciation for the Indian American community's contributions to the city, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, recognizing their strength in areas such as healthcare and business. He noted the historic appointment of Meera Joshi as New York City's first Indian deputy mayor, a reflection of the community's growing political influence.
"As Diwali is the light that moves out darkness, let’s displace the hate and the darkness that is pervasive across the globe," Mayor Adams remarked. "It starts here in New York. It starts here on Diwali."
The celebration featured the participation of World Vegan Vision, founded by H.K. and Malti Shah, which provided plant-based vegan sweets and savory dishes. Satish Karnidkar, the organization's vice chairman, facilitated the collaboration, aligning with the event’s focus on environmental sustainability.
Indian vendors such as Vadilal Industry USA, represented by Ashwin Pandya, and Ice Gola Express by Ankit Gandhi, offered a variety of traditional Indian flavors. Nitin Vyas, public relations director for World Vegan Vision, played a key role in coordinating vendor participation with the Mayor’s office.
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