WASHINGTON – Senate India Caucus Co-Chairs Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA) and John Cornyn (R-TX) submitted a resolution today calling for the U.S. Postal Service to issue a commemorative stamp in honor of the holiday of Diwali. 

“This commemorative stamp is an important recognition of the significance of Diwali to the more than 3 million Indian Americans and 1 billion Indians worldwide who celebrate this holiday,” Sen. Warner said.

“A stamp commemorating Diwali is a significant and meaningful way to honor the importance of the Festival of Lights to so many Indian Americans, both in Texas and across the country,” said Sen. Cornyn.

Diwali, also known as the “festival of lights,” is an Indian holiday that marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year.  It celebrates the triumph of good over evil, the awareness of one’s inner light, the dispelling of ignorance, and bringing peace and joy through the awakening gained from a higher knowledge. 

The U.S. Postal Service has issued stamps to honor other popular holidays in the United States, including Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and Eid al-Fitr. 

As the Co-Chairs of the bipartisan Senate India Caucus, Sens. Cornyn and Warner have worked to engage Indian Americans and Indian government officials to expand cooperation between the United States and India, the world’s largest democracy.

A copy of the resolution is available here.