Lights in the Darkness

[See President Obama’s Diwali Greeting.]

Diwali (or Deepavali) is the Festival of Lights, which celebrates the victory of good over evil – of light over darkness. With religious significance for Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains living in India and around the world, the five-day festival has periods of focused prayer and devotion, with rows of small ghee-filled lamps, as well as fireworks and raucous celebration. To Hindus, it marks the victorious return of Lord Rama from his defeat of Ravana, the demon king. At the heart of it all is time spent with family, especially strengthening the bond between brothers and sisters.

The fourth of the five-day festival marks the day, as one legend has it, that Krishna defeated the god of rain and the heavens, Indra. He lifted Mount Govardhana to save the people from the floods. While many American communities were plunged into darkness during Hurricane Sandy, which struck the eastern United States at the end of October 2012, and many Asian communities suffered in October 2013 under the power of Cyclonic Storm Phailin, the timing of Diwali offers hope to all.

Like Murthy Law Firm founder and president, Sheela Murthy, many of our clients and readers of our website hail from India. For us at the Murthy Law Firm, the Statue of Liberty is not only a symbol of opportunity for immigrants, her light represents the indomitable American spirit. Lady Liberty still welcomes newcomers to the shores where she has stood since 1886. Hurricane forces have not toppled her any more than they could snuff out the light that burns in the hearts of Americans, wherever they came from originally – Americans who send aid to storm-ravaged areas around the world every year. Just so, IndianAmericans help that light to burn ever brighter at Diwali, strengthening the bond with all of their American brothers and sisters.

The MurthyNAYAK Foundation contributes to the American Red Cross to help the victims of many natural disasters. We would like to take the opportunity this Diwali to wish everyone – figuratively and literally – light in whatever darkness surrounds you. Reach out to your brothers and sisters, whether to ask for help or to offer it. They are all around you.

Copyright © 2014, MURTHY LAW FIRM. All Rights Reserved



Disclaimer: The information provided here is of a general nature and may not apply to any specific or particular circumstance. It is not to be construed as legal advice nor presumed indefinitely up to date.