US Postal Service to release stamp in honour of Diwali; See pic

The US Postal Service has unveiled a postage stamp honouring the festival of Diwali, among others. It will be released later this year.

US Postal Service to release Diwali special stamp

The Diwali stamp features an intricate rangoli pattern curated by Sangita Bhutada, a Houston-based artist, while it was photographed by Binay Dixit.

Several photos of the vibrant postage stamp have surfaced online. It features a colourful rangoli.

The USPS described rangoli as a vibrant floor pattern traditionally made from materials such as coloured rice powder, chalk and flower petals. A rangoli is believed to bring good luck and is widely used to decorate houses during festivals like Diwali.

Who is Sangita Bhutada

According to the USPS, Bhutada is a native of India. She is a longtime resident of the Houston area who has practised the ancient folk art of rangoli for nearly 2 decades.

The stamp was designed by Jennifer Arnold, and William J Gicker was the art director. The Diwali stamp will be released in October 2026, according to the USPS.

"Among the most important holidays on the Hindu calendar, the annual autumn festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Diwali is usually observed over five days; in 2026, the main day of the festival will be November 8," the USPS said.

Diwali and politics in the US

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is widely celebrated across America now. In fact, it is also celebrated in the White House each year.

The tradition of Diwali celebrations began in 2003 with President George W Bush. Although he couldn't attend personally, his chief political advisor, Karl Rove, took charge of the festivities, which were held in the Indian Treaty Room. Rove began the celebration by lighting the symbolic brass lamp, conveying President Bush's personal greetings to the Indian American community. It was one of the historic moments in US politics.

Keeping up with the tradition, President Barack Obama became the first US president to personally celebrate Diwali. He lit a diya in the ceremonial East Room and said, “While this is a time of rejoicing, it's also a time for reflection, when we remember those who are less fortunate and renew our commitment to reach out to those in need.”

In 2016, President Obama, in another historic move, lit the first-ever diya in the Oval Office.

Following the tradition, President Donald Trump was seen lighting a diya alongside his daughter Ivanka and Indian American members in 2017. However, the 15-year-long tradition of formal Diwali celebrations at the White House witnessed a break due to the midterm elections in 2018.

President Joe Biden took the celebrations a step up and hosted the largest Diwali celebration ever held at the White House. The event saw attendance from 200 guests, including First Lady Jill Biden. At the event, Biden lit a diya and talked about the importance of Diwali in the Indian American and South Asian American culture. "This is the first Diwali reception of this scale, in this house, ever to be held," President Biden said.