Speaker Pelosi, House colleagues attend Diwali celebration in Washington, DC
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden joined Indian Americans in celebrating Diwali, festival of lights, on November 4.
A photo shared by the White House on Twitter showed the Bidens lighting diyas with candles.
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In an accompanying post, the president and the first lady extended Diwali greeting to everyone. The said: “May the light of Diwali remind us that from darkness there is knowledge, wisdom, and truth. From division, unity. From despair, hope. To Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists celebrating in America and around the world — from the People’s House to yours, happy Diwali.”
Vice President Kamala Harris, an Indian American, also issued a statement greeting Diwali. She said, “This year Diwali arrives with even deeper meaning in the midst of a devastating pandemic. The holiday reminds us of our nation’s most sacred values, our gratitude for the love of family and friends, our responsibility to lend a hand to those in need and our strength to choose light over darkness, to seek knowledge and wisdom and to be a source of goodness and grace. Let’s remember to honor the light within one another. From our family to yours I wish you a joyous Diwali.”
Read: New York World Trade Center to be lit up for All-American Diwali (November 2, 2021)
From the legislative branch, House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi joined Indian Americans to celebrate Diwali at the National Democratic Club in Washington, D.C.
Rep. Danny K. Davis, an Illinois Democrat, hosted the event. Several important political leaders, including Rep. Richard Neal, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, joined Pelosi in lighting the traditional diya.
Read: US President Biden, VP Kamala Harris, other world leaders wish Happy Diwali (November 4, 2021)