President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden have thanked Asian Americans in the US for contributing to every part of American life and reflecting the soul of “who we are as a nation”, as they hosted the largest-ever Diwali reception at the White House.
More than 200 eminent Indian Americans attended the reception at the East Room, a venue that has witnessed some of the landmark events related to the India-US relationship, including the signing of the civil nuclear deal and the joint press conference by then-US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in November 2008.
“We are honoured to host you… this is the first Diwali reception of this scale, in this house, ever to be held,” Biden said.
“We have more Asian-Americans than ever before in history…Thank you for making the Diwali celebration a joyous part of American culture,” he said.
This was the largest Diwali celebration at the White House since it started celebrating the festival of light during the George Bush administration.
The reception saw some enthralling cultural events, including performances by sitarist Rishab Sharma and the dance troupe ‘The Sa Dance Company’. The guests, dressed in traditional Indian attires such as saree, lehenga and sherwani, relished some mouth-watering Indian delicacies.
Thanking Indian Americans for making Diwali a part of the American culture, he said, “As we see it across the country, opening homes and hearts and exchanging gifts and sweets and hosting feasts for family and friends, organising cultural programs that bring us together… you contribute to every part of American life.” ”Thank you for reflecting the soul of who we are as a nation,” Biden said.
The soul is what makes us us. Optimism that is tested and en- — yet endures. The courage that digs really deep when it’s needed. Truth and knowledge overcome falsehood and ignorance. And empathy and a willingness to see each other not as enemies but as fellow Americans,” he said.
The incredible South Asian community all across America has helped the country emerge stronger from this pandemic, building an economy that works for everyone, responding to the cry for action on climate, working to fix the immigration system, defending rights and freedoms, building a more just and equitable country, serving and protecting communities and the nation, informing, entertaining and inspiring, he said.
Biden said the South Asian community reflects the “soul of who we are as a nation, whether helping us emerge stronger from this pandemic, building an economy that works for everyone or serving and protecting our communities and our country”.
However, he cautioned that there was darkness “always lurking”. “American history has been a constant struggle between its ideals that we are all created equal and the harsh reality that we have never fully lived up to it. By marking the victory of light over darkness, Diwali is a reminder that each of us has the power to bring light to the world, whether here in America or around the world,” he said. (EasternEye)