US President Joe Biden will celebrate Diwali with Indian Americans at the White House on Monday night. The White House issued a statement saying, “Continuing the tradition of years past, the president will light a lamp in the Blue Room prior to his speech.” Next he will address a group of American Indians for whom he is hosting a reception.
This will be President Biden’s last Diwali reception at the White House as he will not be participating in the presidential election this time.
The White House said there will be a video message to the president from the honorable NASA astronaut and retired Navy Captain Sunita “Sunny” Williams. He recorded a greeting video from the International Space Station, where he took over as commander in September. The statement further read, “Suni is a Hindu and had earlier sent Diwali wishes to people across the world from the ISS. He also shared various Indian/Hindu cultural items (samosas, copies of the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita) to celebrate the heritage. “I have taken it with you to space.”
The White House said: “Nootana, a South Asian classical music and dance group from Washington, DC, will provide entertainment for guests.”
History of the Diwali party at the White House
In 2003, then-US President George W. Bush started the tradition of celebrating Diwali at the White House. However, he never personally participated in the Diwali celebrations. But in 2009, when Barack Obama became president, he personally attended a Diwali party at the White House. He celebrated Diwali by lighting a lamp in the White House.
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After this, in 2017, Donald Trump took this tradition further, but in 2022, President Joe Biden, along with first lady Jill Biden, hosted the largest Diwali party ever held at the White House. During this period more than 200 guests were invited.
Vice President Kamala Harris hosted a Diwali party at her official residence in 2023.
