An Indian-American group has stepped up efforts to get a Diwali stamp issued, on the lines of the ones commemorating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Eid.

The Indian American Citizen Council's Committee for Diwali Postage Stamp put out a petition inviting signatures for the cause.

The online petition addressed to Dr. Virginia Noelke, Chairperson, Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee, United States Postal Service, points out the festival's significance. 'Diwali symbolizes our incessant prayers and endeavor to be led from darkness (ignorance) to light (knowledge),' it says.