Gagan Biyani’s Diwali Reflection: A Celebration of Identity and Belonging
Gagan Biyani’s Diwali reflection highlights his pride in dual identity, growing cultural acceptance in the U.S., and heartfelt gratitude for America’s pluralistic spirit that embraces diversity and shared celebration.
Indian-origin entrepreneur and Udemy co-founder Gagan Biyani recently shared an emotionally resonant reflection on his dual identity during his Diwali message to followers in the United States. Born and raised in California to immigrant parents, Biyani expressed how celebrating Diwali in Denver serves as a poignant reminder of both his Indian heritage and his American home. He reminisced about earlier times when the festival’s presence in his neighborhood was negligible, but now, he observes vibrant celebrations, heightened curiosity, and broader acceptance.
In a heartfelt post on X, Biyani discussed the evolution of Diwali’s significance in the U.S. and how it mirrors the growing inclusivity of Indian traditions. He shared his joy in celebrating the festival with his family, his wife, brother, sister-in-law, and mother, and how the moment became even more special when his brother mentioned their four-year-old neighbor, eager to participate after attending a mini Diwali event last year. The experience, he noted, symbolized the cultural osmosis that connects diverse communities through shared joy.
Today's Diwali and it reminds me of why I'm Indian but also why I'm proud to be American.
— Gagan Biyani 🏛 (@gaganbiyani) October 20, 2025
My wife and I are in Denver with my brother, his wife, and my mom. We've decorated the house and are preparing a feast for this evening.
Then my brother makes an interesting comment - says…
Reflecting on his childhood, Biyani recalled growing up in a suburb where Indians represented about 20% of the population, yet very few people knew what Diwali was. At that time, Indian Americans were often stereotyped, most commonly through the cartoonish portrayal of Apu from The Simpsons. He observed how times have changed dramatically, people across America now show genuine curiosity about Indian traditions. According to him, this curiosity is not limited to liberal enclaves like Denver or Oakland but is spreading across the entire nation. Despite the occasional discourse around anti-India sentiment, Biyani remains sanguine, finding hope in a young child’s curiosity, Biyani remains sanguine, finding hope in a young child’s curiosity about his culture.
"When I was young, I lived in a suburb with 20% Indians and still nobody ever asked me about Diwali. That was still the era when Indian Americans were most associated with Apu, the convenience store owner from the Simpsons. Yet today in 2025, I found nothing odd about a 4-year-old who is curious about my culture and where my parents are from. In fact, I've found that over my 30+ years here I have felt more and more curiosity and acceptance all around the country (not just in liberal enclaves like Denver and Oakland)," he wrote.
Biyani emphasized that no other country feels like home the way the United States does. Despite challenges, he cherishes America’s pluralistic ethos and its acceptance of diverse identities. "We constantly hear about how divisive America is... No place feels like home to me like the US of A... I'm proud to be celebrating my culture in the land of the free and the home of the brave," he concluded, radiating a spirit of transnational kinship and heartfelt gratitude.
