Hindus in Atlanta celebrate Diwali with Mayor, City Council issues proclamation

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It was a full house at City Hall as more than 250 Atlanta residents gathered with Mayor Andre Dickens to celebrate the Hindu festival of Diwali, October 28, 2024.

Organized by the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), an advocacy and civil rights organization dedicated to improving the understanding of Hinduism in North America, the event brought together Atlanta’s Hindu community, alongside prominent lawmakers and diplomats, entrepreneurs, a press release from CoHNA said.

Attendees included Congressman Rich McCormick (R-GA), Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA), Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne (R-TX), State senators Shawn Still and Nikki Merritt, House Representative Esther Panitch, and Atlanta City Council President Doug Shipman. Also attending were the Consul General of India, Ramesh Babu Lakshmanan and Deputy Consul of Bahamas, Tyson McKenzie.

The celebrations began with the mayor lighting a traditional Diwali lamp. A highlight of the evening was the Atlanta City Council’s Proclamation honoring Diwali, read aloud by President Doug Shipman. The venue sparkled with lights, with a joyful ambience created by the music, artistic performances, and delicious cuisine.

Thanking CoHNA for organizing the event, Mayor Dickens commended the contributions of the Hindu and Indian-American community. “You continue to make a major impact on this region’s culture and economy. You have established successful businesses, created cultural centers that educate and inspire, and you are actively engaged in the community. You are our teachers, doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, developers and more, and you are helping to shape the future of Atlanta in every field,” Mayor Dickens is quoted saying at the event.

CoHNA Board Member Suresh Krishnamoorthy introduced the organization’s mission,  emphasizing the need for better understanding and correct representation of Hindu culture in American education. He said, “The mission of CoHNA is to educate on issues affecting Hindu Americans, advocate for their rights and engage with communities in a positive way. This event is all about community engagement and we are grateful to the Mayor for partnering with us.”

Vice President and Co-founder of CoHNA Rajeev Menon, thanked the lawmakers, community leaders, diplomats, and Atlanta residents present. “Our goal is to build bridges and bring together communities with such joyous events, where we discover and connect over our shared values. Everyone can relate to the power of light over darkness and good over evil–the core message of Diwali,” Menon said.

CoHNA also gave awards to distinguished members for their “selfless work for the Hindu community.”

CoHNA General secretary Shobha Swamy thanked the “hospitable city of Atlanta, which Hindu-Americans have now called home for over 60 years,” as well as the large number of youth volunteers who helped make the event a success.

CoHNA’s Diwali event also marked the culmination of the Hindu Heritage Month celebrations across Georgia, the press release said, following an earlier proclamation from Governor Brian Kemp. Throughout the month, CoHNA and other Hindu organizations hosted interactive Diwali celebrations at hospitals, schools, and libraries. “These events promote a better understanding of Hindu culture and the diverse communities that live in Georgia,” Swamy added.

Atlanta’s Mayor lights the traditional lamp for Diwali. Onstage with him are Congressman Rich McCormick R-GA, Congressman Hank Johnson, D-GA, Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne, R-TX, the Consul General of India Ramesh Babu Lakshmanan and CoHNA’s leadership team.