WASHINGTON: US President Barack celebrated Diwali this year by lighting the first-ever diya in his Oval Office. The first president to celebrate the Hindu festival at the White House in 2009, talked about it event in a Facebook post.
"I was proud to be the first President to host a Diwali celebration at the White House in 2009, and Michelle and I will never forget how the people of India welcomed us with open arms and hearts and danced with us in Mumbai on Diwali. This year, I was honoured to kindle the first-ever diya in the Oval Office- a lamp that symbolises how darkness will always be overcome by light. It is a tradition that I hope Presidents will continue." The post soon became viral on the internet, and was 'liked' by more than 1.5 Lakh people and shared more than 33,000 times, overnight.
"To all who are celebrating the festival of lights across America and around the world, happy Diwali. As Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists light the diya, share in prayers, decorate their homes, and open their doors to host and feast with loved ones, we recognise that this holiday rejoices in the triumph of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. It also speaks to a broader truth about our shared American experience. It's a reminder of what's possible when we see beyond the differences that too often divide us. It's a reflection of the hopes and dreams that bind us together," Obama said.
