- I.S. Saluja
BROOKLYN, NY (TIP): In a landmark event marking the first-ever Diwali celebration within the halls of the Kings Supreme Court on October 15, the festival of lights was honored not only as a cultural celebration but as a symbol of justice, truth, and inclusivity. Addressing the gathering of Honorable Justices, legal dignitaries, and guests, the keynote speaker, Ranju Batra, Chair, Diwali Foundation USA, Inc., extended warm Diwali greetings and reflected on the profound symbolism of seeing the “light of Diwali shining within the Supreme Court — a temple of justice and truth.”
The Keynote Speaker’s central message echoed the timeless ideals of Diwali — the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and justice over injustice — drawing a deep parallel between the festival’s spirit and the mission of the judiciary.
A major highlight of the address was the inspiring personal account of the seven-year-long journey to secure the issuance of the U.S. Postal Service’s Diwali Stamp in 2016 — a historic achievement that gave America’s multicultural identity a new symbol of inclusivity.
The initiative began in 2010 when Ranju Batra realized that while American schools widely celebrated Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Eid, there was no national recognition for Diwali. Determined to change that, she launched a grassroots movement to have Diwali represented through a U.S. postage stamp. After learning that the USPS valued paper petitions over online ones, she painstakingly designed and circulated physical petitions across the country, collecting tens of thousands of signatures over seven years.
Despite multiple setbacks, she persisted — attending meetings with USPS officials, organizing press conferences, and securing congressional support. Her relentless efforts paid off when, on October 5, 2016, the USPS officially issued the Diwali Stamp.
Her dedication didn’t stop there — within ten days of its release, she personally sold over 170,000 Diwali stamps, making it the best-selling stamp in the history of the U.S. Postal Service.
The success story quickly gained international attention. Soon after, a United Nations event was organized to honor her achievement, attended by 24 nations. From this recognition was born the idea of the “Power of One Awards” — an initiative by the Diwali Foundation USA, which she chairs, to honor exceptional diplomats whose work advances peace and global cooperation in the spirit of Diwali’s ideals.
She emphasized that the Diwali Stamp is not merely ink on paper but a powerful emblem of belonging and acceptance. “Every time someone places that stamp on a letter,” she said, “it carries a message of light, truth, justice, and unity. It tells generations of immigrants that their stories matter — that their light belongs here too.”
Closing her remarks, she connected the ideals of Diwali with those of the judiciary: “The Supreme Court, like Diwali, is a beacon reminding us that truth and justice must always be protected and shared.”
As diyas were lit in the courthouse, she urged all to “light the flame of understanding” and continue spreading the light of justice, compassion, and inclusion — the true essence of Diwali.
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