Close X
Saturday, November 23, 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

House Republicans make their case for President Biden impeachment inquiry at first hearing

House Republicans make their case for President Biden impeachment inquiry at first hearing
The chairmen of the Oversight, Judiciary, and Ways and Means committees used the opening hearing of their impeachment inquiry to review the constitutional and legal questions involved. They are trying to show what they say are links to Biden's son Hunter’s overseas businesses, though key witnesses said they do not yet see hard evidence of impeachable offenses. 

House Republicans make their case for President Biden impeachment inquiry at first hearing

US Mission in India processes over 1 mn non-immigrant visas in 2023

US Mission in India processes over 1 mn non-immigrant visas in 2023
The US Mission to India said on Thursday that it has reached and surpassed its goal to process one million non-immigrant visa applications in 2023. Stating that Indians made over one in 10 visa applications worldwide, the Mission said it has already surpassed the total number of cases processed in 2022 and is processing almost 20 per cent more applications than in pre-pandemic 2019.

US Mission in India processes over 1 mn non-immigrant visas in 2023

Ten students hurt after school bus flips over in US

Ten students hurt after school bus flips over in US
The Houston Fire Department said ten children and two adults, the bus driver and the driver of the car involved in the crash, were taken to the emergency room with minor injuries, Xinhua news agency reported. Everyone was taken to the hospital out of precaution. 

Ten students hurt after school bus flips over in US

Pakistan will have the highest inflation rate in Asia

Pakistan will have the highest inflation rate in Asia
Pakistan’s economy stands out as an outlier in Asia, according to a new report that predicts the country will have the highest inflation rate but the fourth lowest economic growth rate among all 46 economies in the region, a media report said.

Pakistan will have the highest inflation rate in Asia

2 men convicted of killing Indian-origin children in UK road crash

2 men convicted of killing Indian-origin children in UK road crash
Mohammed Sullaiman Khan, 27, from Edgbaston admitted two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, and one count of causing serious injury during a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court last week. Mohammed Asim Khan, 35, from Birmingham was found guilty of perverting the course of justice for lying to police in connection with the case.  

2 men convicted of killing Indian-origin children in UK road crash

Kshama Sawant, other Seattle leaders call for action after cop mocks Kandula's death

Kshama Sawant, other Seattle leaders call for action after cop mocks Kandula's death
The brief clip shows Seattle Police Officers’ Guild Vice President Daniel Auderer saying that 23-year-old Jaahnavi Kandula "had limited value" in a call with senior Mike Solan.  Sawant has called for an elected police accountability system after the incident.

Kshama Sawant, other Seattle leaders call for action after cop mocks Kandula's death