Diwali Celebrations at the White House on Thursday

Three days ahead of the formal celebrations of Diwali in India, the US President Donald Trump will celebrate the festival of lights at the White House on Thursday. This is going to be President Trump’s third Diwali celebrations at the White House, a tradition that was started by his predecessor Barack Obama in the year 2009.

On Thursday, President Trump will participate in the Diwali celebrations by lighting a ceremonial ‘diya’ (lamp). The White House has not officially released any other details of the celebrations.

In the year 2017, President Donald Trump celebrated his first Diwali at the White House in his Oval Office in the presence of a select group of Indian-American community leaders and members of his administration.

Last year, for the Diwali celebrations, the US President has also invited the then Indian Ambassador to the US, Navtej Singh Sarna, which was celebrated in the Roosevelt room.

In the United States, the Diwali celebrations have already begun as Texas Governor Greg Abbott celebrated Diwali with the Indian-American community on Saturday.

He also twitted, “We lit Diwali lamps on display in the Governor's Mansion. We discussed Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi’s visit to Texas. We celebrated the victory of light over darkness”.

While, Republican Congressman from Texas Pete Olson also tweeted, “Celebrating Diwali at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir”.

On the other hand, a US-based non-profit social and cultural organisation celebrated Vijaya Dashami at 35 locations across the United States.

More than 7,000 people participated in the celebrations throughout the month of October, a media statement released by the organisation, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangha (HSS), said on Monday.

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangha US Chief Vinod Ambastha said, “This year, Vijaya Dashami coincidentally falls between October 2 and November 12, the first marking the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and the second is the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak”. 

He also added, “Both Guru Nanak and Mahatma Gandhi drew inspiration from the same dharmika truth that recognizes the divinity of humanity in all. The teachings of compassion, equality and service by them, resonate loudly and clearly today”.

Meanwhile, Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi in his address during a Vijaya Dashami function in Illinois said, “We need more of the universal values. I pray that all of us must subscribe to the idea of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family) and that we must take care of the entire family all the time”.

In 2017, after lighting the ceremonial lamp, President Donald Trump hailed the contribution of the Indian community in different fields in the United States.

He then said, “You have made extraordinary contributions in the field of art, science, medicine, business and education. America is especially thankful for its many Indian-American citizens who serve bravely in our armed forces and as first responders in communities throughout our great land”.

During Diwali celebrations, both in 2017 and 2018, President Donald Trump referred to his friendship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said during Diwali celebrations of 2018, “The United States has deep ties to the nation of India and I am grateful for my friendship with Prime Minister Modi”.