The event would also honour Ranju Batra, chairman of the Diwali Stamp project, who worked behind the scene for several years campaigning be...

The stamp was unveiled at the Indian Consulate at an elaborate "first-day-of-issue" dedication ceremony yesterday.

Ranju, as chair of Diwali Stamp Project, updated Modi on her multi-years' Diwali Stamp efforts along with Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney.

If the stamp were issued, it would be the first time the South Asian holiday receives any recognition by the postal service.

"We are closer than ever before, and we will not stop until our Diwali Stamp is issued," said Ranju Batra, chair of Diwali Stamp Project.