Mayor Eric Adams ignites Diwali Diya at the festive Gracie Mansion celebration

On Oct. 24, Mayor Eric Adams welcomed bedazzled Diwali celebrants to Gracie Mansion, noting that he is honored to celebrate the festival of lights each year. He also applauded Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, who was pivotal to legislation being passed to make Diwali a school holiday in New York City.

“Our Assembly Member is right. She personifies what it is to come to this amazing country and participate in government, not only for the entire state but specifically for the community that supported and encouraged her to run.”  

“When she had the vision of making sure that Diwali was a recognized holiday, they told her it was not possible. We lobbied, we fought, and as she stated, there’s nothing more determined than an Indian woman, and she showed that. And today, we celebrate Diwali as a citywide holiday, and it’s something that we should all acknowledge.”  

Young dancers go through their paces during a colorful performance at Gracie Mansion in Manhattan to commemorate Diwali, the festival of lights on the Hindu calendar, observed on Oct. 31.Photo by Tangerine Clarke

“But more than that, look what we have done with Dilip Chauhan and others, and how it took 110 mayors before we were able to have an Indian woman to be a deputy mayor, in Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi.”

“You are continuing to see your political strength. You’re continuing to see what you can do. This is one of the most well-educated communities and business leaders. What you did during COVID with your doctors and medical professionals like other immigrant groups, you kept this city going,” said Mayor Adams, surrounded by members of his administration, including Guyanese-heritage, NYPD First Deputy Commissioner Tonya Kinsella, and CEO of Gracie Mansion Conservancy, Rhonda Binda.

Diwali, which will be observed for the very first time as a school holiday on Thursday October 31, was celebrated by Mayor Eric Adams with the lighting of the Diya, a cultural presentation, and Citation honors. From left to right, are Deputy Commissioner, Mayor’s Office of International Affairs, Dilip Chauhan, Vijah Ramjattan, Mayor Eric Adams, Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar, South Asian Liaison, Community Affairs Unit, Sookranie Dhanpat, Acharya Leila Gossai, Sarina Jain, and Roni Mazumdar. Photo by Tangerine Clarke

The politician continued, ” We want to make sure that you no longer live in the shadows of the American dream, that you empower yourself to be self-determinant about what the future holds for this entire city, if not the entire country.”  

“And don’t lose sight that running for president is a woman with Indian and African American background. You are moving at a rate that no one thought was imaginable. You can never go back. You can never find yourself back in the shadows of the American dream. You must continue your progress. As you grace us today here at Gracie Mansion, we owe you as much as you owe this great country, we owe each other,” he shared.  

“Let’s continue to grow. Let’s continue to strengthen ourselves. And I say, as Diwali is the light that moves out of darkness, let’s displace the hate and the darkness that is pervasive across the globe. It starts here in New York. It starts here on Diwali. It starts here with this great community. I love this community. Keep doing the great things you’re doing,” said Mayor Adams while thanking the glittering, colorful crowd. He then joined Assembly Member Kumar, Dilip Chauhan, and others to light the Diya and then present Citations to community leaders.

They are Vijah Ramjattan, Acharya Leila Gossai, Sarina Jain, and Roni Mazumdar.

In her spirited message to the large crowd, Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar, who has thrown her hat in the ring for the vacant seat of New York City Comptroller, applauded Mayor Adams for his contribution to the South Asian community and quipped that he was nicknamed the Hindu Mayor. She recalled that she had approached the politician to make Diwali a school holiday, and his answer was, “Yes, we will, and we must because anything is possible.”

As such, starting on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, New York will commence the yearly school closing to commemorate Diwali, a religious festival on the Hindu calendar.

Assemblywoman Rajkumar, dressed in an elegant, decorated red gown paired with jewelry, called on the gathering to extend a round of applause for Mayor Eric Adams.

“When there was a hate crime at our beloved Tulsi Mandir, Mayor Adams stood with us. And he made sure the NYPD classified it as an anti-Hindu hate crime because he is always standing up for our community.”

Consul General of Guyana to New York, Michael E. Brotherson, fourth from left, surrounded by a bevy of beautifully dressed Guyanese women under a white tent of Gracie Mansion in Manhattan, on Oct. 24. Photo by Tangerine Clarke

“Mayor Adams enjoys and loves his job. He focuses on making lives better here in the City of New York. But on this occasion of Diwali, he also reminds us of Ram, who had to wage an incredible battle to defeat evil.” “Ram had to put everything in to achieve victory. And on this Diwali, we celebrate Ram’s victory when he returns victorious to Ayodhya,“ said the politician.  

“Let us all pledge to be the mayor’s Hanuman. He has always stood with our community. And that is why on this Diwali, the Festival of Lights, we will always stand with our 110th mayor of New York City, Eric Adams,” said the lawmaker.

The beautiful annual festival, organized by Deputy Commissioner, Mayor’s Office of International Affairs Dilip Chauhan, who served as emcee, South Asian Liaison, Community Affairs Unit Sookranie Dhanpat, and others, showcased a variegated backdrop and enchanting lighting. Energetic dance, accompanied by melodies, entertained the large crowd that partook in vegetarian Indian food, in keeping with Hinduism.