"Joe Biden Honors Diwali with the Largest White House Event to Date"
In a historic first, the White House played host to the largest Diwali reception ever on Monday, October 25, 2022. United States President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris welcomed the South Asian American community, amongst others, to celebrate the "festival of lights."
Jill Biden, the First Lady, expressed her gratitude to the Eastern American community for helping to light the way ahead. She also extended her appreciation to the South Asian community for their optimism, courage, and empathy demonstrated across America.
The event was significant, with each day associated with six principal stories. Diwali, known as the festival of lights, is observed for five days according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar. It is a time marked by amazing lights, firecrackers, tempting traditional sweets, and trading gifts.
President Biden thanked the South Asian American community for making Diwali a wonderful part of American society. He acknowledged the struggle between the American ideal of equality and the reality that the country has never fully met it, and Diwali as a symbol of the victory of light over darkness.
For individuals of Jain belief, Diwali marks the achievement of Bliss or Moksha by Mahavira, the last Tirthankara. In North India, worshipping of Lord Ganesha and Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, is an important part of Diwali that signifies the welcoming of prosperity and wealth. Hindus celebrate Diwali to commemorate the homecoming of Lord Rama after 14 years in exile and his victory over Ravana.
Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Black American and South Asian American to become Vice President, was present at the event. She stated that the White House is the people's house where every American can celebrate their honour and tradition. She joined over 1 billion people worldwide to light the 'Diya' during Diwali.
Harris also wished all Diwali celebrants a joyous occasion to celebrate and connect, to feel the pride of the community, and to remember the power in the event of light. This was the first Diwali function of this scale in the White House ever to be held.
The event saw the presence of numerous Indian Americans from the Biden administration. He stated that South Asian Americans reflect the soul of the nation, whether helping the country recover from the pandemic, building an economy that works for everyone, or serving and protecting communities.
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This grand Diwali reception at the White House symbolized the victory of good over evil, a theme that resonates deeply with the spirit of Diwali. It was a celebration of diversity, unity, and the shared values that bind the American community together.
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