WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump celebrated Diwali at the White House by lighting traditional oil lamps, known as diyas, in the Oval Office. The event was held on Friday, November 6, and was attended by prominent members of the Indian-American community, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and senior US administration officials.
Among those present were India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra; FBI Director Kash Patel; IBM CEO Arvind Krishna; Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra; National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya; and renowned chef Vikas Khanna.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and several other administration officials and Indian-American business leaders also attended the event.
One special moment came when Indian entrepreneur Vishal Gondal presented Trump with a copy of the Hanuman Chalisa, a Hindu devotional text.
Gondal later shared photos from the event on social media, describing it as a moment of light in the Oval Office. He said that his prayer during the diya lighting was for stronger friendship between India and the United States and for the victory of light over darkness.
The tradition of celebrating Diwali at the White House began in 2003 under President George W. Bush.
