US Postal Service deliberating stamp release on Diwali

WITH the Indian American community intensifying its campaign seeking a postage stamp on Diwali, the United States Postal Service has said that it is seriously considering the request.

Issuing the stamp (on Diwali) is under consideration of the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, official spokesman of the US Postal Service told The Indian Express.

Considered to be the highest decision making body for issuing new postage stamps, the Committee is slated to meet later this year to decide on the postage stamps that would be issued next year. The US Postal Service has so far issued several religion-based holiday stamps including Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and Eid.

The stamp on Diwali is on the list, the spokesman said. This is for the first time that the US Postal Service has initiated steps to issue a postal stamp on something related to India and its rich culture. The general criteria followed by the Committee to recommend issuing of the postal stamp are if it would be popular with the US people.

With the population of Indian Americans ever increasing, it is believed that the decision of Advisory Committee would be favorable. The Committee has 15 members comprising eminent people from various walks of life. Once it opts in favor of Diwali, it would invite designs for the stamp.

Meanwhile, Indian Americans have intensified their campaign for the purpose. Besides writing direct letters to Congressmen, lawmakers and the Advisory Committee, they have also started an online petition campaign. More than three lakh people already been signed the petition and the community is targeting more than five lakh signatures.

The petition says that Diwali is a festival to express gratitude and appreciation for the extraordinary diversity. Diwali symbolizes our incessant prayers and endeavor to be led from darkness to light. It is celebrated to signify the victory of truth and righteousness over evil, it says.

Several Congressmen too have written to the Advisory Committee supporting the demand. Last year, Democratic Congressman Frank Pallone introduced a Bill in the House of Representatives urging the US Postal Service to issue stamp on Diwali. He said an estimated 1.5 million Indian Americans celebrate Diwali.

While for former President Bill Clinton, Diwali presents an opportunity to reflect on the many ways, the talent, the history and the traditions of the Indian people who have contributed to our national life and cultural heritage, President George Bush, in the past two years have made sure that the festival is celebrated in the White House and sends personal greetings and felicitations to the community on Diwali.