'Happy Diwali': Antony Blinken, Marise Payne extend festival greetings

As crores of Indians united to celebrate the festival of lights on Thursday, greetings poured in from several global leaders including US State Secretary Antony Blinken. In a heartfelt message, Blinken said that may Diwali bring “peace, joy and success” to those observing, in America and worldwide.

Alongside, The US Secretary of State also shared a vibrant image of diyas conveying greetings from the US Department of State.

Blinken wasn't the only US leader to wish the world on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. Senators Chris Coons, Ted Cruz, Bob Menedez, and Chuck Schumer, also extended their heartfelt greetings. 

"I’m sending love and light to each person celebrating across Delaware and the world," Coons wrote on Twitter. Senator Ted Cruz shared a video message stating how he was "proud to join the Indian people and Indian Americans in Texas and across the country in celebrating Diwali.

Bob Menendez wished that the festival of lights becomes "the beginning of better and brighter days ahead."

"Happy Diwali to everyone celebrating the Festival of Lights in New York, in America, and around the world! (sic)" Chuck Schumer wrote on Twitter.

The Senate Democrats also extended their heartfelt greetings on the occasion of Diwali, sharing a picture ceebrating the festival or lights. 

Marise Payne, world leaders extend Diwali wishes 

Blinken's Australian counterpart Marise Payne also sent out special video messages on the auspicious occasion. Extending her wishes, she said that Diwali’ message carries a “poignant and powerful” significance this year. While hundreds of people have died due to the COVID pandemic, it all had now been subdued. In the brief clip, she also talked about bolstering India-Australia ties.

Earlier in the day, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus too took a note. The WHO DG, on Thursday, took to Twitter to pen down his thoughts on this auspicious occasion. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a Tweet wished India on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. While conveying his greetings, the WHO DG wished for good health and happiness among Indian citizens. Here is what he tweeted. 

Heartfelt greetings also poured in from the White House, where President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden lit diyas on the joyous occasion. In the pictures shared on the official Twitter handle of POTUS (President of the US), the Bidens, wearing a big smile, were seen lighting a beautiful lamp, laid on a bed of flowers, wishing the world a Happy Diwali.

Along with the picture, President Joe Biden wrote, "May the light of Diwali remind us that from the darkness there's knowledge, wisdom, and truth. From division, unity. From despair, hope. To Hindus, Sikhs, Jains & Buddhists celebrating in America and around the world —from the People’s House to yours, Happy Diwali."

(Image: PTI/AP)