Participation of V. Rybakov in a solemn Belarusian-Indian event in the United Nations
05.12.2016During his visit to the United Nations Headquarters Deputy Foreign Minister Valentin Rybakov participated as a keynote speaker in a solemn event “Small Stamp for a Big Festival (of Lights)”. The event was conducted in one of the main halls of the United Nations – Trusteeship Chamber – and was dedicated to the presentation of the stamp issued by the United States Postal Service to mark Diwali.
In accordance with the United Nations General Assembly resolution 69/250 Member States and UN agencies were invited to observe Diwali, the first celebration of which was held at the United Nations Headquarters on October 31, 2016. Diwali is a major Indian and Hindu festival, which is celebrated as the “Festival of Lights” and signifies the victory of good over evil. As a sign of this victory, the candles and lanterns are lit everywhere. Diwali is widely observed, alongside India this holiday is observed where there is a large Hindu community: Bangladesh, Guyana, Fiji, Kenya, Nepal, Malaysia, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Singapore, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, as well as in areas of large concentrations of Hindu immigrants, specifically, the US and the UK.
Permanent Missions of Belarus and India became the main organizers of the event.
Austria, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Georgia, Honduras, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Moldova, Morocco, Nepal, Palestine, Panama, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Viet Nam became co-organizers of the event.
In his speech, Deputy Minister stood for the need to strengthen intercultural diversity, calling it as a convincing expression of the human openness, empathy and kindness.
