Los Angeles City Council adopts Diwali resolution, honours Indian Consul General

Los Angeles celebrates Diwali with resolution recognising Indian-American communityThe Los Angeles City Council unanimously adopted a resolution recognising Diwali and honoured India's Consul General to Los Angeles, Dr KJ Srinivasa, during a celebration of the festival at the city's iconic City Hall on Friday.The event was hosted by Los Angeles Mayor-elect and City Councilmember Nithya Raman and attended by Srinivasa, members of the City Council, distinguished guests and representatives of the Indian-American community.The resolution extended Diwali greetings to people across Los Angeles and recognised the contributions of South Asian communities to the city. It highlighted the festival's message of the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, along with its values of kindness, generosity, compassion, unity, gratitude and goodwill.It also acknowledged Diwali as a celebration that transcends religious boundaries and brings communities together in a spirit of peace, prosperity and happiness.Indian Consul General honoured for strengthening tiesA key highlight of the event was the presentation of a Certificate of Recognition to Srinivasa by Raman on behalf of the city. The honour recognised his leadership as the inaugural Consul General of India in Los Angeles and his engagement with communities across Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada.The citation also acknowledged his efforts to strengthen links between Los Angeles and India in trade, technology and culture. It highlighted his contribution as the city prepares to host the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games (LA28), noting his role in building connections and bringing communities together.In his address, Srinivasa congratulated Raman on her election and extended his best wishes for her forthcoming tenure. Recalling his first welcome at City Hall during the Diwali celebrations in 2025, shortly after he assumed office, he thanked her and the City Council for their continued support and encouragement for the Indian-American community.The Consul General also reaffirmed his commitment to working with the incoming Los Angeles administration to expand cooperation in trade, investment, technology, innovation, education, creative industries and cultural exchanges.He said both sides would explore fresh opportunities for collaboration ahead of LA28. Srinivasa also highlighted the Indian-American diaspora's role in strengthening economic partnerships, cultural understanding and people-to-people ties between India and the US.Indian cultural performances mark Diwali celebrationsThe event featured performances showcasing India's cultural traditions, including Carnatic music, tabla, Indian classical dance and Bhangra. City Councilmembers, including John Lee, joined hundreds of representatives from Indian-American community organisations at the celebration.Raman welcomed Srinivasa back to City Hall and reiterated their shared commitment to strengthening relations between India and Los Angeles.The Consulate General said the celebration reflected the Indian-American community's growing contributions to the city's civic, economic and cultural life. It also highlighted the importance of India-Los Angeles engagement within the broader India-US partnership, with cultural exchanges serving as a means of building closer ties between the two countries.