Obama greets Indian-Americans on Diwali

Washington, Oct 27 (UNI) Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama wished ''joyous Diwali'' to the two million-strong Indian-American community, asserting that if elected he would work to renew America's moral leadership in the world.

''This is our time to create change, and I believe that we can and must continue the fight against ignorance and intolerance,'' said Mr Obama who leads in the opinion polls over his Republican nominee John McCain.

''Thank you for the opportunity to share a few thoughts with you as we near the night of Diwali. In the coming days, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and their friends of all faiths will gather across the US and around the world to celebrate the Festival of Lights,'' Mr Obama said.

''Much has happened in the world since the last Diwali, and this is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the year past and rededicate ourselves for spreading peace and tolerance in the coming year,'' Mr Obama said.

Last year, he recalled he wrote that Diwali's celebration of the triumph of illumination over ignorance had a special meaning for him.

''At that time, travelling across US and meeting people of every spiritual and ethnic background showed me that there is much more that unites us than divides us. Now, one year later, I believe this even more strongly,'' he said.

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