US President Biden to host last Diwali from White House with Indian-Americans and Sunita Williams' message from space

President Joe Biden will celebrate Diwali at the White House on Monday evening (local time) with many Indian Americans from across the US. The White House announced, "Continuing a tradition from previous years, the President will light a Diya lamp in the Blue Room before his remarks."

Following the lamp lighting, Biden will speak at a reception for the Indian American community.

This Diwali event will be Biden's last reception of its kind at the White House, as he is not running for re-election.

The White House also mentioned that a video message from Sunita "Suni" Williams, a Nasa astronaut and retired Navy Captain, will also be presented. Williams recorded a greeting from the International Space Station, where she became Commander in September. The White House said, "Suni is a practising Hindu and has previously sent Diwali greetings from the ISS to people across the globe. She has also brought multiple Indian/Hindu cultural items-including samosas and copies of Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita-with her to space in celebration of her heritage."

Entertainment for the event will feature Nootana, a classical South Asian dance and music group based in Washington, DC, along with the Marine Corps Band.

As the festival of Diwali coincides with the upcoming Election Day, South Asian Americans recognised a special opportunity to bring about positive change by exercising their right to vote. Ajay Bhutoria, a prominent community leader, South Asian advocate, and long-time supporter of Kamala Harris , is actively working to mobilize South Asian, Asian American, and AAPI voters across the country. With Diwali falling just days before November 5, 2024, Bhutoria said, "This Diwali, let's drive out the darkness: vote for Harris-Walz. This election season coincides with Diwali, the festival of lights celebrated by millions of South Asians around the world. Diwali symbolises the victory of light over darkness, of knowledge over ignorance. This year, as we light the diyas in our homes, let us also shine a light on democracy. Just as we come together to dispel darkness and bring light and prosperity, we can drive away the darkness of division and hate by voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, who are dedicated to a brighter, more inclusive America."

The Diwali tradition in White House began in 2003 with then President George W Bush. Over the years, the festivities have included President Barack Obama lighting a diya in the Oval Office and then-Vice President Biden hosting a reception in 2016. In 2017, President Donald Trump continued the tradition by lighting a diya with his daughter Ivanka and Indian American members of his administration. However, the 15-year-long tradition of formal Diwali celebrations at the White House was interrupted in 2018 due to the crucial midterm elections.