Washington, 30 June (H.S.): The United States Postal Service (USPS) has announced the release of a new Diwali Forever Stamp for 2026. The stamp features a vibrant rangoli artwork created by Indian-American artist Sangeeta Bhutada, reflecting the growing recognition of the Indian-American community and India's rich cultural traditions in the United States.

According to the USPS, the new Forever Stamp will be issued in October, ahead of the Diwali festival, allowing it to be available to the public before the celebrations begin. The postal service noted that Diwali is one of the most important festivals in the Hindu calendar and symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. In 2026, Diwali will be celebrated on November 8.

The new Forever Stamp prominently features a traditional rangoli design, an art form regarded in Indian culture as a symbol of prosperity, शुभता (auspiciousness), and welcome. Rangoli is traditionally created using coloured rice, flower petals, and other natural materials to decorate homes and public spaces during festivals.

The rangoli artwork was created by Houston-based Indian-American artist Sangeeta Bhutada, who has been practising this traditional folk art for nearly three decades. The artwork was photographed by Bijay Dixit, while the stamp was designed by Jennifer Arnold under the artistic direction of William J. Gicker.

The USPS said the date and venue for the First-Day-of-Issue ceremony will be announced at a later stage.

The Diwali Forever Stamp will be released alongside several other commemorative US stamps celebrating the country's cultural diversity. These include special stamps marking Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and the 150th anniversary of the United States Coast Guard Academy.

Notably, the first Diwali Forever Stamp in the United States was issued on October 5, 2016, following sustained efforts by Indian-American community leaders and elected representatives. Since then, the Diwali stamp has become a significant symbol of the Indian-American community's growing social, cultural, and political presence in the United States.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar