Greeting people across the world celebrating Diwali, the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that it is a festival that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness.

In a Diwali message, he also said that it is also a time of reflection and prayer when people perform seva, or selfless service, without any expectation of reward or payment.

Senator John Cornyn, who is co-chair of the Senate India Caucus, said that Diwali marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year, and millions across the globe including hundreds of thousands of Indian-Americans in Texas celebrate the Festival of Lights.

Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu elected to the US House of Representatives, in a video message said that Diwali is such a special time of year where people all over the world are coming together to light their lamps in honour of the return of Lord Ramachandra to His kingdom after many years in exile. She said, it is celebration of the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.