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Minnesota hosts second annual Diwali celebrations
Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan praised the contributions of Minnesota’s 40,000-strong Indian American community.
Diwali celebration / Rajeev Bhambri
The Indian American community celebrated Diwali on Oct. 15 at the Minnesota State Capitol with Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, marking the event’s second consecutive year and strengthening efforts to make it an annual tradition.
The event, organized by the Association of Indians in America (AIA) and supported by former AIA vice president Gopal Khanna, reflects ongoing efforts to institutionalize Diwali at public venues. Khanna emphasized the need for civic engagement, urging Indian Americans to register to vote, volunteer, and cultivate future leaders.
Diwali celebrations at the Minnesota State Capitol / Rajeev BhambriThe ceremony began with prayers by chief priest Murali Bhattarji of the Hindu Society of Minnesota (HSMN), followed by a bhajan by Shruti Rajasekar and a classical dance performance by Siddhi Tantry, a junior at Wayzata High School. Leaders from the Hindu Society of Minnesota, BAPS, IAM, and the Jain Community Center attended, along with students volunteering their time.
State Representatives Kristin Robbins and Ginny Klevorn expressed their support, while Lt. Governor Flanagan praised the contributions of Minnesota’s 40,000-strong Indian American community, stressing the importance of cultural pride, diversity, and inclusion.
Governor Tim Walz issued a proclamation designating October as Hindu Heritage Month, honoring the contributions of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Aditi Jha, a sophomore at Edina High School, highlighting the involvement of youth in community leadership.
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