Right at the corner of the Indian festival of Diwali, US Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, who has long been a supporter of the Indian diaspora, will be introducing a bill in the US Congress aiming to establish Diwali as a Federal holiday in the country.

On Wednesday, members of the India Caucus including Congressman Ro Khanna, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, and other advocates such as Sanjeev Joshipura, Executive Director of global non-profit network Indiaspora, will join Maloney in the introduction of the bill.

Earlier, Congresswoman Maloney successfully advocated and led efforts in the Congress urging the US Postal Service to approve and honour Diwali, the proposal of which has been in circulation since 2016.   

In a public statement, Maloney noted that she felt, "A relatively small action would hold great meaning for millions of people."  

“It was an honor to celebrate Diwali this evening in Times Square with my friends and colleagues in government. To all who celebrate, may the gleam of diyas enlighten your spirit and vanquish darkness from your life,” tweeted Carolyn Maloney.  

Earlier, several US lawmakers had pointed out that the US culture has been enriched to a great extent by the Hindu-American celebrations. Diwali is also celebrated annually at the White House, a tradition started in 2003 by President George Bush Jr.