In the first time of the history United Nations is celebrating the Indian festival, the festival of lights – Dipawali, at its Headquarters in New York after it was declared as a non-meeting day and was recognised by the 69th session of the UN General Assembly through a resolution adopted on 29th December 2014.
"Lighting up. @UN lights up for #Diwali for 1st time," India's Ambassador to the UN Syed Akbaruddin tweeted.
The #Diwali selfie spot in New York on 30-31 October evening is @UN Headquarters.
— Syed Akbaruddin (@AkbaruddinIndia) October 30, 2016
Share your photos #Diwali@UN pic.twitter.com/BrVga3YViO
"Happy Diwali! @UN celebrates Diwali for 1st time. Thank you @UN_PGA for this initiative," Akbaruddin said in another tweet, thanking General Assembly President Peter Thomson for the initiative.
Happy #Diwali from the @UN building in #NYC! pic.twitter.com/d07WSvo8bT
— Matthew Rycroft (@MatthewRycroft1) October 29, 2016
The facade of the UN headquarters was lit in bright hues and the words 'Happy Diwali', along with the image of a traditional 'diya', projected onto the building.
From 2016 onwards, Diwali was made an optional holiday for the UN, India's Permanent Mission to the world body said in a special video message.
Earlier in June, the UN building was lit up on the occasion of the International Yoga Day, with images of Yoga postures projected on the imposing headquarters.
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