Minnesota Governor Tim Walz visited the Bharatiya Temple in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 31 to join in the Diwali celebration. He participated in a traditional diya lighting ceremony and received blessings from the priests.
Walz was welcomed there by Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija, the first Asian American County Commissioner in Pennsylvania’s history, and Atul Sangal, board member and secretary of the Bharatiya Temple.
Temple priest Seshasai Rompicharla offered blessings to the governor as he joined the congregation in celebrating Diwali.
Governor Walz conveyed his heartfelt Diwali wishes for peace and prosperity. Reflecting on the values of the festival, he said, “Happy Diwali to everyone. It’s a privilege for me to be with you on this special day, a privilege to stand amongst you. You can feel the sense of community here. You can feel the sense of love. You can feel the sense that there is something bigger than all of us.”
Walz also praised the Biden-Harris Administration’s initiatives to support South Asian American communities, citing Vice President Kamala Harris’s recent plans to improve economic opportunities, reduce costs for families, and foster small business growth.
He expressed gratitude to Pennsylvania officials, including Governor Josh Shapiro, for recognizing Diwali as an official holiday in Pennsylvania.
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