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

Hurricane Idalia forces evacuations, flight cancellations in Florida

Hurricane Idalia forces evacuations, flight cancellations in Florida
The hurricane was forecast to develop into an "extremely dangerous major hurricane" and lash the Gulf Coast, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the US National Hurricane Center. It could intensify at least to a Category 3 hurricane - classified as a major hurricane, bringing powerful winds and a potential storm surge of 10 to 15 feet.

Hurricane Idalia forces evacuations, flight cancellations in Florida

CBS honoring late game show host Bob Barker with prime-time special

CBS honoring late game show host Bob Barker with prime-time special
The smooth-talking host, who urged participants to “come on down” and play the enduring game that required them to guess the price of consumer goods, died at age 99 Saturday at his home in Los Angeles. With his signature long, thin microphone, Barker commanded the show's stage from 1972 to 2007.

CBS honoring late game show host Bob Barker with prime-time special

12 new charges against Kenneth Law, accused of selling deadly substance

12 new charges against Kenneth Law, accused of selling deadly substance
An Ontario man accused of mailing a lethal substance to people at risk of self-harm is facing 12 new charges, police announced Tuesday in a case being investigated globally. Kenneth Law now faces a total of 14 charges of counselling and aiding suicide in deaths across Ontario, police said.   

12 new charges against Kenneth Law, accused of selling deadly substance

4 men charged with murdering Indian-origin delivery driver in UK

4 men charged with murdering Indian-origin delivery driver in UK
 Aurman Singh, who worked with Dynamic Parcel Distribution, died on the spot while he was delivering parcels in Berwick Avenue in Shrewsbury on August 21.

4 men charged with murdering Indian-origin delivery driver in UK

UK air traffic control says it has fixed a technical problem that sparked delays and cancellations

UK air traffic control says it has fixed a technical problem that sparked delays and cancellations
More than three hours after it reported the “technical issue,” flight control operator National Air Traffic Services said it had “identified and remedied” the problem and flights could begin to return to normal. But scores of flights were canceled, and Heathrow Airport said its schedules would be “significantly disrupted” for the rest of the day.

UK air traffic control says it has fixed a technical problem that sparked delays and cancellations

Trump trial set for March 4, 2024, in federal case charging him with plotting to overturn election

Trump trial set for March 4, 2024, in federal case charging him with plotting to overturn election
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan rebuffed claims by Trump's attorneys that an April 2026 trial date was necessary to account for the huge volume of evidence they say they are reviewing and to prepare for what they contend is a novel and unprecedented prosecution. But she agreed to postpone the trial slightly beyond the January 2024 date proposed by special counsel Jack Smith's prosecution team.

Trump trial set for March 4, 2024, in federal case charging him with plotting to overturn election