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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline NOVEMBER 08, 2024 | The Indian Eye 19

The White House hosted a Di-
wali celebration, honouring Indi-
an Americans’ contributions to the
“US-India bond.” US Ambassador to
India Eric Garcetti praised the event
and highlighted the significance of
Diwali and Indian Americans’ valu-
able contributions.

Dr Jill Biden and President

Biden hosted a Diwali cele-
bration at the White House on
Monday, inviting Indian-Amer-
icans from across the United

States to attend. This was the
the couple’s last Diwali celebra-
tion as President and First Lady.
Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy speaks at the White House Diwali celebration hosted by US President Joe Biden (ANI)
Over the years, the Bidens’ Di-
wali celebration has added a unique wali celebrations at the White House. us also shine a light on democracy. clusive America.”
touch to this luminous tradition. As As Diwali approaches and Elec- Just as we come together to dispel With Asian Americans being
in previous years, the President tion Day draws near, South Asian darkness and bring light and pros- the fastest-growing racial group in
will light a traditional lamp in the Americans see a unique opportunity perity, we can drive away the dark- the country, according to the Pew
Blue Room before his remarks and to “drive out darkness” and usher ness of division and hate by voting for Research Center, the Diwali celebra-
the festivities with the large Indian in a brighter, more hopeful future Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, who tions each year represent the chang-
American community, according to by casting their votes. According to are dedicated to a brighter, more in- ing demographics of the nation.
the White House. Ajay Bhutoria, a community leader,
The celebration, characterised South Asian advocate, and longtime
by lights, colour, music, and dancing, supporter of Kamala Harris, who
featured traditional performances is working to mobilise South Asian,
and dancers. Asian American, and AAPI voters
Diwali events at the White across the United States, this year,
House began with President George Diwali falls just days before Novem-
W. Bush in 2003 and have included ber 5, 2024, marking a symbolic align-
President Barack Obama lighting ment for the Indian American com-
a diya in the Oval Office, as well as munity to make their voices heard.
then-Vice President Biden hosting a Bhutoria said, “This Diwali,
reception in 2016. President Donald let’s drive out the darkness: vote for
Trump continued the Diwali tradi- Harris-Walz. This election season
tion in 2017 by lighting a diya along- coincides with Diwali, the festival of
side his daughter Ivanka and Indian lights celebrated by millions of South
American members of his adminis- Asians worldwide. Diwali symbolises
tration. However, in 2018, the cru- the victory of light over darkness, of
cial midterm elections disrupted the knowledge over ignorance. This year,
15-year-long tradition of formal Di- as we light the diyas in our homes, let

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