According to his spokeswoman, President Joe Biden of the United States intends to host this year’s Diwali festivities at the White House. The nature of the preparations and the specifics of the details have not been disclosed as of yet.
Karen Jean-Pierre, the press secretary for the White House, confirmed to the reporters in attendance at her daily news conference in Washington that the president does want to celebrate Diwali in the same manner as he did the previous year. Jean-Pierre responded to a question by saying that the event is one that the president believes is very important because he sees a partnership with India as well as Indian Americans living in this country. However, at this time, we do not have a date that we can share with you regarding when it will take place.
In the meanwhile, Governor Lawrence Hogan of Maryland has proclaimed the month of October to be Hindu Heritage Month. The practise of commemorating the Hindu festival of lights known as Diwali at the White House was initiated by former President George W. Bush. During that time period, the majority of the Diwali celebrations took place in the India Treaty Room, although President Bush never took part in the festivities personally.
In the first year of his presidency, former President Barack Obama performed the traditional lighting of the ceremonial Diya that was kept in the East Room of the White House. The festival of Diwali was observed in the Oval Office during the outgoing president’s last year in office.
