UNITED NATIONS (TIP): Diwali was commemorated for the first time at the United Nations from October 29-31. The UN Secretariat building was lit up especially on the Indian festival of lights. UN General Assembly President Peter Thomson lit the traditional lamp at a ceremony on Oct 31 to celebrate Diwali at the UN Secretariat. The Diwali celebrations included Indian dance and music performances.
The facade of the UN headquarters was lit in bright hues and the words ‘Happy Diwali’, along with the image of a traditional ‘diya’, projected onto the building. It was for the first time that the Indian festival of lights is celebrated at the world body after the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in December 2014 that acknowledged the “significance of Diwali”.
“Lighting up. @UN lights up for #Diwali for 1st time,” India‘s Ambassador to the UN Syed Akbaruddin tweeted. “Happy Diwali! @UN celebrates Diwali for 1st time. Thank you @UN_PGA for this initiative,” Akbaruddin said in another tweet, thanking General Assembly President Peter Thomson for the initiative.