US President Joe Biden will celebrate Diwali with Indian-Americans at the White House on Monday evening. A White House statement said, “Continuing the tradition of previous years, the President will light the lamp in the Blue Room before his speech.” Afterwards, he will address a group of Indian-Americans, for whom he is organizing a reception.
This will be President Biden’s last Diwali reception at the White House as he is not participating in the presidential election this time around.
The White House said the distinguished NASA astronaut and retired Navy captain Sunita “Sonny” Williams will release a video message to the president. He recorded a video greeting from the International Space Station and took over as commander of the International Space Station in September. The statement further said, “Suni is a Hindu and has previously sent Diwali wishes to people across the world from the International Space Station. She has also shared some Indian/Hindu cultural items – samosas, Upanishads and a copy of the Bhagavad Gita – to celebrate this tradition has taken you into space.”
“Nootana, a classical South Asian dance and music group from Washington, D.C., will entertain guests,” the White House said.
The History of the White House Diwali Party
In 2003, then-US President George W. Bush started the tradition of celebrating Diwali at the White House. However, he never attended the Diwali celebrations in person. But in 2009, after Barack Obama became president, he personally attended a Diwali party at the White House. He celebrated Diwali by lighting a lamp at the White House.
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Since then, Donald Trump has further continued the tradition in 2017, but in 2022, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden hosted the largest-ever Diwali party at the White House. More than 200 guests were invited during the period.
Vice President Kamala Harris organized a Diwali party at her official residence in 2023.
