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Atlanta Mayor hosts Diwali celebrations with CoHNA
The celebration, held amid Hindu Heritage Month, concluded a series of CoHNA-hosted events promoting awareness of Hindu culture.
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Atlanta’s Mayor lights the traditional lamp for Diwali. Onstage with him are Congressman Rich McCormick (R-GA), Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA), Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne (R-TX), the Consul General of India Ramesh Babu Lakshmanan and CoHNA’s leadership team. / Image - CoHNA
The Hindu community in Atlanta celebrated Diwali at City Hall with Mayor Andre Dickens on Oct. 28. The event hosted by the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) drew over 250 Atlanta residents including notable Atlanta community members, lawmakers, and diplomats
The guests included U.S. Reps. Rich McCormick (R-GA), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Beth Van Duyne (R-TX), and State Sens. Shawn Still and Nikki Merritt. The Consul General of India, Ramesh Babu Lakshmanan, and the Deputy Consul of the Bahamas, Tyson McKenzie, were also present.
The event began with Mayor Dickens lighting a traditional Diwali lamp, a gesture symbolizing the festival’s central theme of light triumphing over darkness. Atlanta City Council President Doug Shipman read a proclamation in honor of Diwali, underscoring the city’s appreciation for its Hindu and Indian-American communities.
In his remarks, Dickens praised the community’s cultural and economic impact on Atlanta. “You continue to make a major impact on this region's culture and economy. You have established successful businesses, created cultural centers that educate and inspire, and you are actively engaged in the community,” he said, acknowledging their contributions in business, healthcare, education, and more.
CoHNA board member Suresh Krishnamoorthy introduced the organization’s mission to educate and advocate for Hindu Americans, emphasizing the need for accurate representation in education.
Vice president Rajeev Menon expressed CoHNA’s commitment to community engagement, saying,”our goal is to build bridges and bring together communities with such joyous events, where we discover and connect over our shared values. Everyone can relate to the power of light over darkness and good over evil–the core message of Diwali.”
The festIvities included cultural performances, music, and food. Held during Hindu Heritage Month, the event concluded a series of CoHNA-hosted events promoting awareness of Hindu culture in schools, hospitals, and libraries across Georgia. CoHNA general secretary Shobha Swamy thanked Atlanta for its hospitality and credited youth volunteers for their role in the event's success.
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