Diwali is on Wednesday, November 14th; let us
celebrate with a unified voice for a change. Other
cultures celebrate such events by taking religious
holidays (Hannukah and Ramadan). Why should we not
have a holiday for Diwali? When was the last time you
took a religious holiday? Why not this Wednesday?
Why are we always afraid to be ourselves and to
celebrate the wonder and diversity of our culture. We
are a nation of nations amongst ourselves. We are
over 50 years old and beautiful. We are the World's
largest democracy, so let us be heard.
Imagine if every doctor, dentist, pharmacist, computer
programmer, engineer, small business owner,... takes
Wednesday as a religious holiday. Only then will
America realize the importance of Indians to US
society. And only then will America recognize the
positive contributions of Indians. Everybody knows
about Christmas, Hannukah, and Ramadan, but no one
knows about Diwali. Why not? Why do we not celebrate
our religion like others? What are we afraid of?
And now more than ever, we must be heard. Every
Indian must be fearful of the current cooperation
between the United States and Pakistan. Will the U.S.
side with Pakistan when it comes time to deal with the
Kashmir issue, and even in the future when it comes to
selling arms and giving aid. I think it is important,
now more than ever, that Indians stand up and let
themselves be heard. Let us leave no doubt in
President Bush's mind, that Indians are an integral
and much needed part of this nation. Let America know
who we are and what we represent.
Ask yourself if you tired of falling into the "other"
category? How many Indian actors do you see on E.R.,
and how many Indians do you see in a real hospital?
Are you content being a simpson stereotype? There are
Christian hospitals and Jewish hospitals, yet not one
Indian hospital even though we staff them all. How
many Indian news anchors or weather men do you see?
How many television show hosts? It is time we stopped
being the silent workhorse. Our silence is our
greatest enemy. Let us be heard, let us be
recognized.
On Wednesday, we have the opportunity to be heard. I
encourage all Indians, upon rational thought, to call
your employer or put up signs on your businesses
stating you are taking a religious holiday on
Wednesday in observance of the Festival of Lights:
Diwali... And let us celebrate with the vigor and joy
Diwali commands. In India, it is the greatest day of
the year; in America it is just a silent night.
Celebrate who we are on Wednesday, we owe it to
ourselves, a culture from the ages.
Together and unified we are unstoppable.
- Rick Malik, Baltimore, MD, USA
The views of this column are the author's own, and do not necessarily represent the views of NRI Online.
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