Close X
Thursday, October 31, 2024
ADVT 
International

President Biden to celebrate Diwali with Indian-Americans at White House today

Darpan News Desk IANS, 31 Oct, 2024 09:46 AM
  • President Biden to celebrate Diwali with Indian-Americans at White House today

US President Joe Biden will celebrate Diwali in the evening with a large number of Indian-Americans from across the country at the White House, his last as the President, the White House said in a statement.

The day promises to be a memorable tribute to Indian heritage and culture, emphasising the growing bond between the US and the Indian-American community.

Continuing a tradition from previous years, the President will light a Diya lamp in the Blue Room before his remarks, the White House said.

After this, he would deliver remarks before a gathering of Indian-Americans, for whom he is hosting a reception.

This would be President Biden's last Diwali reception at the White House as he is not running for the presidential election.

Among the President's introductions will be a video message from Sunita Williams, a decorated NASA astronaut and retired Navy Captain.

She recorded a video greeting from the International Space Station (ISS), where she took over as Commander in September, the White House said.

Sunita Williams is a practising Hindu and has previously sent Diwali greetings from the ISS to people across the globe.

She has also brought multiple Indian/Hindu cultural items, including samosas and copies of Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita with her to space in celebration of her heritage, it said.

Nootana, a classical South Asian dance and music ensemble based in Washington, DC, will provide musical entertainment for guests, in addition to the Marine Corps Band, the White House added.

Last year after the Diwali celebration, the US President shared a video of the festivities on microblogging platform X in which he was seen lighting a diya with US First Lady Jill Biden at the White House.

"Today, Jill and I lit the diya to symbolise Diwali's message of seeking the light of wisdom, love, and unity over the darkness of hate and division. May we embrace the enduring spirit of this holiday and of our nation – and reflect on the strength of our shared light," he posted.

Photo courtesy of X.com/POTUS

 

MORE International ARTICLES

I’m not interested in being Vice President: Nikki Haley

I’m not interested in being Vice President: Nikki Haley
Hours before the Iowa caucuses kickstarting the Republican presidential nomination process, Indian-American presidential aspirant Nikki Haley has said she is not keen on playing second fiddle to former boss Donald Trump. Pushing across ice-cold Iowa and hoping for a strong finish in the state, the lone woman in the 2024 presidential race remains confident about her election as the next US President.

I’m not interested in being Vice President: Nikki Haley

Top Trump adviser rules out Ramaswamy’s chances as VP pick

Top Trump adviser rules out Ramaswamy’s chances as VP pick
The remarks by Jason Miller comes a day after Trump slammed the "very sly" biotech entrepreneur in a blistering social media post on January 13, saying: “a vote for Vivek is a vote for the other side". Trump said voters should not get “duped” by Ramaswamy's "deceitful campaign tricks", and that he is a threat to MAGA -- Make America Great Again.

Top Trump adviser rules out Ramaswamy’s chances as VP pick

Pair jailed in UK after high-speed driving leads to elderly Sikh woman's death

Pair jailed in UK after high-speed driving leads to elderly Sikh woman's death
Surinder Kaur was pronounced dead on the scene after she was hit by a vehicle on Oldbury Road in Rowley Regis, West Midlands, on November 13, 2022, the BBC reported, citing police. In addition to the jail-term, Arjun Dosanjh (26) and Jacek Wiatrowski (51) were banned from driving for eight years by the Wolverhampton Crown Court last week.  

Pair jailed in UK after high-speed driving leads to elderly Sikh woman's death

Indian teen dies as bus catches fire after collision in Singapore

Indian teen dies as bus catches fire after collision in Singapore
A 17-year-old Indian national died and three others were injured when a bus travelling from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur collided with a motorcycle and burst into flames. The bus, with 28 passengers onboard, was travelling along the northbound side of the North-South Expressway on January 13 at about 3.50 am, according to a Channel News Asia report.

Indian teen dies as bus catches fire after collision in Singapore

Pannun case: US says will not provide 'discovery material' to Nikhil Gupta

Pannun case: US says will not provide 'discovery material' to Nikhil Gupta
Gupta's lawyers, while also claiming that their 52-year-old client is facing human rights violations, had sought material, or evidence, relating to the charges against him in a ‘Motion to Compel Production of Discovery’ filed on January 4 in the US District Court, Southern District of New York.  

Pannun case: US says will not provide 'discovery material' to Nikhil Gupta

B'desh PM Sheikh Hasina takes oath for historic 4th term in office

B'desh PM Sheikh Hasina takes oath for historic 4th term in office
Following the ruling Awami League's (AL) win in the January 7 Bangladesh general elections, incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took the oath of office on Wednesday for her historic fourth-consecutive term. The oath to Hasina and other newly-elected MPs was administered by Parliament Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury,

B'desh PM Sheikh Hasina takes oath for historic 4th term in office