In just a few months, I’ll celebrate 8 remarkable years at Indiaspora. It has been a privilege to work with incredible colleagues to grow Indiaspora under the guidance of our Founder and Chairman MR Rangaswami.
Amidst the hustle, I’m taking a moment to reflect on our collective journey. Let’s begin with a campaign close to my heart, one that echoes through my years at Indiaspora. In 2016, we catalyzed a successful campaign urging the US Postal Service to issue a commemorative “Forever USA – Diwali” stamp, honoring the >4 million strong Indian American community.
Back in 2001, senior leaders of the Indian community kick-started he initiative. In 2009, President Barack Obama illuminated the symbolic Diya, or Diwali Lamp, at the White House. In 2013, activists Ravi and Ranju Batra garnered over 400,000 online signatures advocating for the stamp.
Indiaspora’s community engagement was robust, with over 10,000 letters and postcards sent to the United States Postal Service. In partnership with organizations like the Hindu American Foundation, Indiaspora volunteers walked the halls of Congress, meeting with elected officials and staff members at several hundred congressional offices, and convinced dozens of them to sign on to the congressional resolutions supporting the Diwali Stamp.
A special mention to Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA) who introduced the resolution in the House, and Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) in the Senate.
The stamp, envisioned by artist Greg Breeding, showcased a traditional Diya lamp against a vibrant backdrop, with the words “Forever USA – Diwali” inscribed. Its official unveiling on October 5, 2016, at the Indian Consulate in New York, was a moment of immense pride.
I am proud and grateful to have been part of this campaign which taught me invaluable lessons—about the power of collaboration, community mobilization, and the immense potential of the Indian Diaspora. It reinforced Indiaspora’s role as a connector and amplifier of voices within the community. Our work at Indiaspora is enabled by our partners, members, patrons, volunteers, and employees, past and present.