H.E. VelentinRybakov, Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus

H.E. Mr. Andrei Dapkiuna, PR of Belarus,

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,

I am elated and honoured to join the laudable initiative of Belarus and supported by more than  20 countries to commemorate the release of the 'Diwali Forever'Stamp by the United States Postal Service.

2.    Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is a festival celebrated in India since antiquity. In a globalised world it is now celebrated in many parts. 12 countries have declared it a holiday. Though celebrated by different communities for different reasons, the essence of the celebration is the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness. Philosophically, the fight is not only external, but also within oneself. The purpose is to realize one's Inner light through universal compassion and the awareness that all things are one absolute truth.

3.    The struggle between good and evil, light and dark, positive energy and negative energy is the basis of many religions and numerous philosophical traditions. It was a little over a month ago, that the President of General Assembly Ambassador Peter Thomson had for the first time celebrated Diwali at the UN. By doing so he raised the awareness of the cross-cutting message of Diwali. That celebration was symbolically enshrined in the colorful image of the 'Diya' or 'lamp', that lit up the UN building. The celebration of Diwali at the United Nations is a reaffirmation of the foundational objectives of the UN Charter and its purposes and principles, which stand as a force for universal good

4.    The Diwali Forever stamp is similarly a shining tribute to the celebration of multi-culturalism. I understand that the notion of 'forever' means it will always be equal in value to the current First Class Mail 1-ounce price.  Forever stamps apparently are immune to the future increase in prices as they will always be equal to the current value of a stamp, no matter when it is bought. In these days when prices keep escalating that is a welcome thought.

5.    The story of this stamp is a saga of persistence and efforts by civil society. I understand that annually 40,000 suggestions of themes are made by the public in the USA and 25  are selected by the  Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee for the Postmaster General's approval. In celebrating the stamp today we also honour the ceaseless efforts of those who pursued this goal diligently for years. Those who tirelessly garnered support for their petitions, gathered congressional backing and then pursued all avenues to ensure that when the stamp was released on 5th October this year it became the highest selling stamp on day one in the history of the US Post.

6.    I am glad that one of the leading lights of the Diwali Forever stamp movement, Mrs Ranju Batra has joined us. I applaud her efforts and look forward to hear her share anecdotes of those efforts. Also, I may be pardoned if I take liberties with an established adage a bit and say that behind every successful woman stands a strong man. I also welcome in our midst Mr Ravi Batra, the man who stoutly supported Ranju's efforts.

7.    The United Nations is the natural home of diversity in terms of languages, cultures, traditions, political systems and orientations. Yet, it equally is the home of the common striving for universal good, peace, development and prosperity. This event today is a reflection of the commonalities that bind us despite our diversity. It brings to mind an ancient Indian saying in Sanskrit:

'Ekam Sat Vipra Bahidha Vadanti'
The truth is one though the wise describe it in many ways'.

I thank you all for joining  in this celebration of the pluralistic essence of humanity