Friday,March19,2010
Holi, the festival of colours, has found mention in the US Congress with an American lawmaker from New York terming it as a "visually stunning" event.
Holi is a time when communities come together after a long winter to welcome the spring harvest, Congressman Steve Israel said in the House of Representatives.
"It is a visually stunning event with thousands of people tossing coloured powders in the air and using dyed water in an atmosphere where culture, camaraderie and oneness are celebrated.
"In the evening, community bonfires are lit to signify triumph over divisiveness and negativity," Israel said.
It is one of the largest festivals in the world, with over one billion Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists participating throughout India, Nepal, the US and many other nations, he said.
As a member of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, Israel also commended the Hindu American Foundation for educating Americans about Holi and the Hindu faith and join them in recognising this year's Festival of Colours.
Three years ago, the Foundation worked to ensure passage of a resolution recognising another Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist festival, Diwali, in both the Senate and the HoR.
This latest focus on Holi was a continuation of those efforts, the foundation said in a statement.
"Congressman Israel has been a longtime member of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans and supporter of our community," said Nikhil Joshi, cofounder and member of the Board of Directors for the Hindu American Foundation.
"We're grateful for his leadership in giving recognition to the importance of Holi to more than one billion people around the world," he said. (HS-19/03)
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