Close X
Friday, November 1, 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

British government makes it tougher for Indians to work in the UK

British government makes it tougher for Indians to work in the UK
An estimated 300,000 non-Britons – many of them Indians – will be affected by the British government on Monday raising the bar for people eligible to apply for skilled worker visas for the United Kingdom. The minimum salary that an applicant must now command is 38,700 pounds, up from 26,000 pounds.

British government makes it tougher for Indians to work in the UK

Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal reiterates call for Gaza ceasefire

Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal reiterates call for Gaza ceasefire
Jayapal is among the Indian-American lawmakers who have consistently called for a cessation of hostilities, extended truce for smooth flow of aid, swift release of hostages, removal of Hamas and a lasting solution to the raging war in Gaza. Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera has said that there was a :need an immediate pause in order to get needed humanitarian aid, food, water and medicine to struggling civilians; then we need to find a different path forward".

Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal reiterates call for Gaza ceasefire

Indian-origin man pleads guilty to firebombing building in US

Indian-origin man pleads guilty to firebombing building in US
A 29-year-old Indian-origin man has pleaded guilty to firebombing an office building in the US state of Wisconsin in May 2022. Hridindu Sankar Roychowdhury, who was arrested from the Boston International Airport this year, was charged with one count of attempting to cause damage by means of fire or an explosive.  

Indian-origin man pleads guilty to firebombing building in US

Teens attack elderly Sikh in UK leaving him with broken ribs

Teens attack elderly Sikh in UK leaving him with broken ribs
A 58-year-old Sikh man was kicked, pulled to the ground and an attempt was made to grab his beard in a hate crime incident by a group of teenage boys in a town in south east England. Inderjit Singh was walking through Langley Memorial Park in Slough when he was approached by a group of young boys on November 21 at around 7 pm.  

Teens attack elderly Sikh in UK leaving him with broken ribs

Kamala Harris on way to Dubai to attend Climate summit COP 28

Kamala Harris on way to Dubai to attend Climate summit COP 28
US Vice-President Kamala Harris will be the highest ranking executive of the US government attending the COP 28 summit in Dubai in the absence of President Joe Biden said to be busy with the war in Ukraine and Israel–Hamas conflict as well as hostage negotiations. Harris is expected to reach Dubai later on Friday after a pushback over President Biden skipping the opening of the gathering this week amid heavy criticism from climate summit nations.

Kamala Harris on way to Dubai to attend Climate summit COP 28

Over 100 killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since truce expired: Hamas

Over 100 killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since truce expired: Hamas
Ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qedra said in a press statement that "about 109 Palestinians, mostly women and children, were killed by the Israeli airstrikes in the Strip", Xinhua news agency reported. According to al-Qedra, two Palestinian journalists were among the victims.

Over 100 killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since truce expired: Hamas