Washington, October 22, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The US Postal Service (USPS) has printed 20 million of its new Diwali Forever stamps, citing strong advocacy from the Indian-American community and expectations of widespread interest in the commemorative issue.
The stamp, featuring a colourful rangoli design, was unveiled at the Embassy of India in Washington on Wednesday. It is only the second stamp issued by USPS to celebrate Diwali, following the first release in 2016.
“There was so much advocacy on behalf of the Indian community to create a second stamp. And we just knew that this one was gonna be super popular like the first one, and hence we printed a little bit higher quantities for folks to enjoy,” USPS Vice President Sahibani Gambhir said at the ceremony.
Gambhir said the agency had printed 20 million stamps and expected both members of the Indian-American community and stamp collectors to show interest.
Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra said Diwali was an opportunity to recognise the millions of Indian Americans, along with students, professionals, artists and families, who call the United States home.
He described the community as a “living bridge” connecting the two countries and said the stamp celebrated India’s cultural heritage with the diaspora and wider American society.
The stamp features a vibrant rangoli created by Houston-based artist Sangita Bhutada against a purple background. Bhutada, who has been making rangolis for nearly 30 years, used starch-based coloured powder and coloured sand to produce the artwork.
She said the process began when USPS contacted her by email to ask whether she could create a rangoli for a stamp. After signing a contract, she submitted design sketches and created the artwork on the floor in different colours. Photographer Bijay Dixit was then contracted to photograph it.
Bhutada said she selected vibrant shades, including red and orange, because of their significance to Diwali.
Jennifer Arnold designed the stamp, while William J. Gicker served as art director. The stamps are available in panes of 20 at post offices and online. As Forever stamps, they remain valid for the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate, even when postal rates change.
Observed by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and others, Diwali celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Kwatra said the main festival would fall on November 8 this year.
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