Ram celebrates Diwali, Hindu American ancestry

The annual celebration of Diwali arrives each October or November as a festival of lights, and it now shines brightly again.

Also known as Deepawali, this convivial season is marked by practitioners of religions such as Hinduism, Sikhism and more. Sparklers and lamps are lit, homes are illuminated with strands of lights and dinners teeming with delicious dishes are hosted. For many, Diwali's cultural and spiritual significance comes with ties to celebrations of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, said to honor followers with the blessing of prosperity.

That bring us to doubles star Rajeev Ram. Among American tennis pros, he finds himself among the few familiar with Diwali and its meaning.

"For me, Hinduism isn't so much a religion as a way of life," Ram says. As an Indian American who is Hindu, Ram harbors a unique, special perspective on growing up in the United States, and in the Midwest at that.

"Diwali is a special time in the homes of Hindu families," Ram says. "My personal memories of it are just getting together with friends and family and lighting candles, as well as mini-fireworks. It is the festival of lights, so it really creates an uplifting mood and atmosphere, which is fun to be a part for for everyone."

It's that upbringing and heritage that led Ram to address attendees this year at the first-ever gathering of the Hindu American Foundation, an advocacy organization, in his hometown of Indianapolis:

That foundation, which bills itself as apolitical and non-religious at its core, welcomes Hindu Americans across all sampradayas (Hindu traditions) regardless of backgrounds related to age, race, citizenship, caste, gender, sexual orientation, disability and more demographics.

After his address and that of Niraj Antani, a Hindu-American politician in the Ohio House of Representatives, Ram mingled with new fans and friends at the downtown event. He talked with them about life on the ATP World Tour as a globe-crossing pro, winning an Olympic silver medal with Venus Williams and pursuits of the head and heart.

Some of those, especially youngsters, on hand that day will surely go on to do great things, inspired by encountering someone who looks like them achieve life-long dreams. That fact, as with Diwali itself, is well worth celebrating.

Full disclosure: Jon Scott is on the board of directors of Rajeev Ram's nonprofit organization, EntouRaj for Kids.

Follow Jon on Twitter @jonscott9.