In a First United Nations celebrates Diwali as festival of "Light over Darkness, Hope over Despair''

October,30,2016:

UN Secretariat building will be lit up for Diwali from October 29-31.

It is for the first time in the History of the United Nations, Diwali is being commemorated.

World body's New York based Headquarters here has been lit up especially on the occasion of the Indian Hindu Festival of lights.

The front facade of the UN Headquarters is lit in bright hues and colours.

It reads the words 'Happy Diwali', along with the image of a traditional earthen 'diya', projected onto the building.

India's Ambassador to the UN Syed Akbaruddin tweeted,"Lighting up. @UN lights up for #Diwali for 1st time."

In another tweet, thanking General Assembly President Peter Thomson for the initiative Akbaruddin said,"Happy Diwali! @UN celebrates Diwali for 1st time. Thank you @UN_PGA for this initiative."

He also tweeted a picture of passers-by clicking photographs of the building as well as being themselves clicked against the illuminated UN headquarters in the background.

Thomson also tweeted a picture of the UN building lit up in bright blue for Diwali and said "Light over darkness, hope over despair, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil - the UN lights up. Happy Diwali!"

The UN Secretariat building will remain lit up for Diwali from October 29-31.

It is for the first time in the History of UN that the Indian festival of lights is celebrated at the world body.

This is being done after the UN's General Assembly adopted a resolution in December, 2014 which acknowledges the "significance of Diwali".