Close X
Monday, November 4, 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

Indian national in US gets 5 years jail for call centre fraud

Indian national in US gets 5 years jail for call centre fraud
Waseem Maknojiya, who was illegally residing in Houston, had pleaded guilty on September 13, 2021, a press statement by the US Attorney's Office in the Southern District of Texas said. On Tuesday, US District Judge Lynn N. Hughes ordered Maknojiya to serve 60 months in federal prison. 

Indian national in US gets 5 years jail for call centre fraud

1 in 6 people in England, Wales born abroad, mostly India: Census

1 in 6 people in England, Wales born abroad, mostly India: Census
The number of foreign-born residents increased by 2.5 million over the decade to 10 million.  India was the most common country of origin, accounting for 920,000 people, which is 1.5 per cent of the usual resident population, the 2021 census showed.

1 in 6 people in England, Wales born abroad, mostly India: Census

US seizes over 50K Bitcoin worth $3.3 bn stored in popcorn tin

US seizes over 50K Bitcoin worth $3.3 bn stored in popcorn tin
The 32-year-old James Zhong from Georgia fraudulently obtained the Bitcoin from The Silk Road -- a site on the dark web once called "the Amazon of drugs" -- in 2012. Thanks to state-of-the-art cryptocurrency tracing and good old-fashioned police work, law enforcement located and recovered this impressive cache of crime proceeds. 

US seizes over 50K Bitcoin worth $3.3 bn stored in popcorn tin

Election day? More like election week as experts, officials warn of delayed results

Election day? More like election week as experts, officials warn of delayed results
More than 1.4 million mail-in ballots were requested in Pennsylvania this year, he added — 70 per cent of them by registered Democrats, compared to 20 per cent by registered Republicans. 

Election day? More like election week as experts, officials warn of delayed results

Indian Embassy issues advisory to Indian medical students in China

Indian Embassy issues advisory to Indian medical students in China
The clarification from the embassy came after queries raised by students and parents regarding eligibility of those Indian students who are pursuing clinical medicine programme in China, for appearing in the qualifying examination in India.

Indian Embassy issues advisory to Indian medical students in China

Four people plotted to kill me: Imran Khan

Four people plotted to kill me: Imran Khan
He indicated that he received the information of this plot through the relationships he had formed while in power. In his first address since the assassination attempt on him in Gujranwala on Thursday, in which Khan sustained bullet injuries in his leg, the PTI chief stated that he was aware of the plot to kill him.

Four people plotted to kill me: Imran Khan