Guwahati: A number of Indian Americans from the Biden administration attended the largest Diwali reception ever held at the White House on Monday.
“We are honoured to host you. The White House has never before hosted a Diwali reception of this size. We want to congratulate you for making the Diwali festival a joyful part of American culture as there are now more Asian Americans than ever before “During a celebration of Diwali at the White House, Vice President Joe Biden of the United States remarked.
Biden commended the Asian American population in the US for making the Diwali celebration a wonderful part of American culture and wished a happy Diwali to the more than one billion Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists celebrating this Festival of Lights in the US, India, and all around the world.
As we host the official White House Diwali reception, we are honoured to ignite the diya in the presence of people from the most diverse Administration in American history, lead by Vice President Kamala Harris, who is the first Black and South Asian American to hold the position.
Biden praised the remarkable South Asian community in America for its tenacity, hope, and empathetic nature.
Together, South Asian Americans “represent the soul of who we are as a nation,” whether they are assisting in the fight against the epidemic, creating an economy that benefits all people, or defending and serving our communities and the nation.
He added, “As the world rejoices in this gathering of light, “As this town has learned the hard way, there is always danger nearby. The American ideal that we are all equal has been in conflict with the hard fact that we have never fully attained it over the course of American history. Diwali serves as a reminder that each of us has the ability to illuminate the world, whether it is here in America or elsewhere, by symbolising the triumph of light over darkness.”
“With prayers, dances, fireworks, and sweets, Biden said may all who observe Diwali enjoy the chance to celebrate and connect, to feel the pride of the community, and to remember the power in the gathering of light.”
Moreover, US vice-president Kamala Harris also delivered remarks from the White House on the occasion of Diwali celebrations. She said, “White House is the people’s house and together our president and first lady have made this place where every American can celebrate their honour and tradition.”
Tonight, Vice President Harris said, the Biden administration joins over 1 billion people around the world to light the ‘Diya’ and celebrate the fight for good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and light over darkness.
Moreover, First Lady Jill Biden praised the Asian American community in the US for “helping us light our way forward.”
“With persistence, with faith, with love, I am grateful that today these diyas have guided you to this home. A home that belongs to all of you,” the first lady said.
Diwali is an auspicious festival that symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. Spectacular lights, firecrackers, irresistible traditional sweets and exchanging gifts mark the festival.
While, the Hindus celebrate this festival to commemorate the homecoming of Lord Rama after 14 year-long years in exile and his victory over Ravana, for the people of Jain faith, this festival carries the essence of spiritual upliftment because it marks the achievement of Nirvana or Moksha by Mahavira, the last Tirthankara.
Diwali is popularly known as the “festival of lights” and is observed incessantly for five days that kicks off in late Ashwin and concludes in the early Kartika month according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar.
Each day of the festival is associated with six different principal stories. 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.