NEWYORK, NY (TIP): The Permanent Mission of India in New York celebrated Diwali on Tuesday, November 5, with esteemed guests and celebrities. Several senior UN officials and ambassadors attended the event. Honorable Peter Thomson, Ambassador of Fiji to the UN, Honorable Rodney Charles, Ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago to the UN, Honorable Milan Jaya NyamrajsinghMeetarbhan, Ambassador of Mauritius to the UN were some of the honored guests present at the celebrations.

Mrs. Namrata Puri, wife of DPR Manjeev S. Puri (left of the statue) is joined by women officials and spouses of PMI staff

Bollywood Actor Shatrughan Sinha, father of lead actress Sonakshi Sinha made a brief appearance at the event. He extended his warm greetings to the Indian American community. “I am extremely honored to be here with the Permanent Mission to celebrate this auspicious day and I would like to wish the Indian American community a very happy and prosperous Diwali,” said Mr. Sinha. Indian Ambassador to the UN, Honorable Asoke Kumar Mukerji was away on urgent business to India. Deputy Permanent Representative Manjeev Singh Puri stood in as host and exuberantly took part in the festivities. On behalf of the Permanent Representative Mr. Mukerji and the Permanent Mission of India at the UN, Honorable Manjeev Singh Puri wished every one present at the event and the Indian community a very prosperous Diwali.