WASHINGTON (Army News Service) -- A more diverse force gives the Army new ideas and offers unique perspectives on how to approach challenges, Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning said at a recent celebration of Diwali, known as the "festival of lights" and the biggest holiday of the year in India.
"As we mark Diwali here at the Pentagon, It is important for us to remember that our men and women serve in different environments, in challenging conditions, and interact with people of many different nations, ethnicities, and religions," he told a crowd inside the Pentagon auditorium Nov. 2.
"We need diverse experiences, critical thinking, and creativity in our force. But, most importantly, we need teams of people who think differently from one another who are joined together in a common cause."
Following Fanning's remarks, the event proceeded with a series of colorful performances celebrating Diwali, with a crowd of more than 150 people looking on.
Wearing a lively traditional dress and vibrant, multicolored scarf with glittery gold trim, 13-year-old Radhika, daughter of Army Capt. Swati Rajpurohit, twirled across the stage as she performed a folk dance from the Indian state of Rajasthan.
Visibly anxious minutes before the show, Radhika said it was her first time doing the dance on stage.
"I get nervous when I first get to the stage, but once I start dancing and get into the rhythm of it, I just go with the flow," she said.
She did just that as she overcame her fears and finished the dance, an achievement that resonated with Diwali's message of defeating one's inner struggles.
After the event, Radhika's mother, Capt. Rajpurohit, said it was uplifting to see her daughter and other children join in on the Diwali festivities with their traditional attire and dancing.
"I feel so proud," said Rajpurohit, who is a nurse at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. "This is a new generation, and it's nice to see them up there."
Diwali is observed by a variety of faith groups in India, including Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs. The holiday is a family affair where lights of all kinds -- lamps, fireworks and bonfires -- symbolize the inner light that protects them from spiritual darkness.
Fanning said the desire for self-improvement and compassion found throughout the festival is also reflected in the Army's focus on bolstering its own inclusiveness.
"Diwali celebrates the triumph of light over darkness but also a triumph of knowledge over ignorance and good over evil," Fanning said. "This festival, in particular, provides a time and place to reflect on how our efforts in our organization can continue to be a light that provides an opportunity for all."
The celebration marked the fifth year that the Diwali festival has been observed in the Pentagon. While the festival of lights is fairly new to the Pentagon, Fanning said, it's important to recognize this holiday and other similar occasions in order to celebrate tolerance and pluralism.
It is through those concepts, he said, that the U.S. military can become stronger and more secure while serving as an example to other nations.
"When the people of the world see the ability of the American people -- and the American military -- to join together, reflecting every part of this country, and every thread of our diverse American fabric within our Army, they see the power of our example," he said.
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