US President Joe Biden hosted the largest Diwali celebration at the White House, which nearly 200 prominent Indian Americans attended.

US President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden hosted a Diwali reception at the White House on Monday. It was the largest reception since the People’s House started celebrating the festival during the George Bush administration. Vice President Kamala Harris was also present at the occasion. Nearly 200 eminent Indian Americans attended the reception.

President Biden tweeted that Diwali is a reminder that everyone has the power to dispel darkness and bring light to the world. He also added that it was a pleasure to celebrate the joyous occasion at the White House that day.

The reception was organized at the East Room, a venue that witnessed several geopolitical developments and landmark events related to the India-US relationship, including the nuclear deal signing and joint press conference in 2008 by former US president Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The reception also saw some enthralling cultural events, including performances by sitarist Rishab Sharma and the dance troupe, The Sa Dance Company. The guests were dressed in traditional Indian attire and included Indian delicacies.

Atul Keshap, president of the US India Business Council, stated that the room is full at the east state dining room. He added that this is a real celebration of what the Indian American community has achieved in the United States and a wonderful recognition by the president and the White House to host Diwali celebrations.

H R Shah, chairman and CEO of TV Asia, expressed that it was an honor and a privilege to be a part of that Diwali celebration. M. R. Rangaswami, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Indiaspora founder, stated that it was heartening to see vibrant Indian American community leaders come together at the White House during Diwali to be a force for good. It was also good to hear the president on Diwali day welcome Rishi Sunak as the new UK prime minister.

Ajay Jain Bhutoria, a member of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, noted that the event recognized the South Asian community’s contributions to economic development and managing the pandemic crisis, among others.

Welcoming the guests, Biden mentioned that it was the first Diwali reception to be held at the White House on such a scale. Furthermore, he added that the incredible South Asian community across America had supported the country in emerging stronger from this pandemic by creating an economy that works for everyone, teaching children and caring for the elderly, responding to the call for action on climate change, working to fix the immigration system, defending rights and freedom, establishing a more just and equitable country, serving and protecting communities and the nation, providing information, entertaining, and inspiring.