US: Iconic Empire State Building Lit Up In Orange To Celebrate Diwali

The United States' (US) iconic Empire State Building was lit up in orange lights to commemorate and celebrate the holy festival of Diwali which is renowned world over as the festival of lights, reports Livemint.

The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) of the tri-state area comprising New York, New Jersey and Connecticut partnered with the Empire State Building and illuminated the Manhattan-based building.

The Empire State Building's official Twitter handle also tweeted, "Happy #Diwali from NYC! We’re joining @FIANYNJCTorg in celebrating the festival of lights by turning our own lights all orange tonight!"

Meanwhile, it should be noted that the FIA is the leading umbrella diaspora organisation in all of the US. On the occasion, it also served 10,000 hot meals under their initiative called "Diwali Soup & Kitchen". The move was aimed at taking the Indian tradition, culture and customs related to the festival to a much more diverse audience of the US.

The idea to serve hot meals under the initiative was floated by FIA's chairman Ankur Vaidya. It had also garnered plaudits from India's Consul General in New York Randhir Jaiswal for preaching and serving humanity.