Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, visited the Bharatiya Temple in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania October 31, 2024, to participate in Diwali celebrations.
Governor Walz was greeted by Montgomery County Commissioner and Chair of the Board of Elections, Neil Makhija who is the first Asian American County Commissioner in Pennsylvania’s history across all 67 counties. Governor Walz was also greeted by Board Member and Secretary of the Bharatiya Temple Atul Sangal as well as Pundit Sri Seshasai Rompicharla.
He joined the diya lighting ceremony, and delivered remarks extending his wishes for a peaceful Diwali, according to a press release from the Harris-Walz campaign.
“Happy Diwali to everyone. It’s a privilege for me to be with you on this special day, a privilege to stand amongst you,” Gov. Walz said. “You can feel the sense of community here. You can feel the sense of love. You can feel the sense that there is something bigger than all of us,’ he added, noting that it was “a privilege” of a lifetime to be on the ticket with Presidential candidate Harris.
“I know that in Pennsylvania, as well as Minnesota, the Indian and South Asian community is so much a fabric of our state and who we are. I do want to thank these legislators and Governor [Josh] Shapiro for recognizing and making Diwali officially a holiday [in Pennsylvania]. It matters,” Walz said. Vice President Harris also released a statement wishing the Indian community a Happy Diwali and noting that the festival was celebrated around the world.
