As India’s stature around the world grows, the celebration of Hindu festivals is also going global. The countries which have a sizable presence of Hindu community already celebrate Hindu festivals like Diwali and Holi with grandeur, but with the country’s growing geostrategic stature, even the governments of the countries with small Hindu community are sponsoring the celebration of Hindu festivals.
Countries like the United Kingdom and the United States, which have sizable and influential Hindu population, witness grand celebrations of Diwali and wishes come from the head of state every year, but, this year, even the countries like Taiwan are celebrating the Hindu festival.
As per a report by WION, the Taiwanese government is sponsoring the celebration of Diwali this year and the Deputy Foreign Minister of the country is expected to be present at the event. Taipei India Music and culture centre and Indians in Taiwan group are organizing the event. This comes in the backdrop of growing warmth between the two countries amid provocation by the common adversary- China.
On the other hand, the celebrations are growing bigger and bigger with every passing year in countries like the United Kingdom and the United States. In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Boris Johnson not only wished Happy Diwali to everyone but also gave hope to people that the country would defeat the Coronavirus just like Bhagwan Ram defeated Ravana.
“While undoubtedly there are huge challenges ahead, I have every confidence in the resilience and resolve and good sense of people across the country and that together we will overcome this virus, just as Diwali teaches us that light triumphs over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance,” said Johnson from 10 Downing Street in London on Friday.
“Just as Lord Rama and his wife Sita found their way home after the defeat of the demon king Ravana, their way lit by many millions of lamps, so we too shall find our way through this, and we shall do so triumphantly,” he added.
The British leaders are lining up to celebrate Diwali due to the rising influence of Indian diaspora, said event organizers. “The Prime Minister, leaders of the main UK political parties and the Mayors of the country’s major metros lining up for Diwali in this way is quite unprecedented and reflects not only the real depth of UK-India ties but also the pivotal role of the UK’s 1.5-million-strong Indian diaspora,” said Manoj Ladwa, CEO of the India Inc Group, the UK-based organiser of the event.
In the United States, President Trump celebrated Diwali in White House last year and thanked India-Americans for their contribution to the American society. “You have made extraordinary contributions to art, science, medicine, business and education. America is especially thankful for its many Indian-American citizens who serve bravely in our armed forces and as first responders in communities throughout our great land,” he said.
Diwali is becoming an International festival just like Christmas and Christian new year, and this signifies India’s rise on the global stage and the influence of the Indian diaspora which is among the most influential in the world and sends huge remittance- around 70 billion dollars- back home every year. The Indian diaspora is the second largest in the world after Chinese but the Indian-Americans are most influential and successful and, therefore, send a larger amount of remittance than compared to that by Chinese diaspora.
With their sheer hard work, brilliance, and law-abiding nature, the Hindus earn respect in the countries around the world and countries like Australia and Canada are welcoming Indian professionals with an open hand. With the rising number of Hindus and their professional achievements, the Diwali celebration gets grand with every passing year. The Internationalization of Diwali festival is a mark of the achievement of Hindu diaspora as well as the rise of India on the global map.
