Governor Moore and Lieutenant Governor Miller Join Maryland’s South Asian American Community to Celebrate Diwali “Festival of Lights”

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Yesterday, Governor Wes Moore and Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller gathered at the Universities at Shady Grove with members of the South Asian American community in Maryland to celebrate Diwali “Festival of Lights.” In a celebration hosted by the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives, Governor Moore officially proclaimed the celebration of Diwali “Festival of Lights” in the state of Maryland.
“The beauty of Diwali transcends cultures and languages,” said Gov. Moore. “This celebration of faith and choosing light over darkness is a message that is both powerful and absolutely necessary in our current climate. I was proud to join with Maryland’s first Indian American Lieutenant Governor and members of the South Asian American community to celebrate Diwali.”
“Growing up as an immigrant, I remember celebrating Diwali and lighting the Diya with just a small group of Indian American families like mine,” said Lt. Gov. Miller. “Celebrating Diwali alongside members of our administration and members of the community, and lighting the Diya as Maryland’s first immigrant and first Indian American Lieutenant Governor is an honor I will always treasure.”
Diwali “Festival of Lights” is celebrated by over one billion individuals worldwide of Hindu and other faiths. It celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

According to the 2019 American Community Survey, approximately 105,000 individuals of Indian descent live in Maryland. The South Asian American population in Maryland is one of the fastest growing populations in the state.