Today is Diwali, or more precisely, the high point of the 5-day Diwali celebration. The holiday is celebrated in various ways by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists. On Monday evening, President Biden hosted a Diwali celebration at the White House. In his remarks at the reception (full text), the President said in part:
In late November 2016, a dark cloud formed from hate and hostility toward immigrants, including South Asian Americans, that we hear once again in 2024. It was then that Jill and I hosted the first Diwali reception, and it was at the vice president’s residence, an Irish Catholic president — vice president, at the time — opening our home for a holiday celebration by Hindus, Bi- — Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs, and more. How America — how America can remind us all of our power to be the light, all of us.
Now, as president, I’ve been honored to host the biggest Diwali receptions ever at the White House. (Applause.)
