Biden Hosts the Largest-Ever White House Diwali Celebration, Highlighting America’s Cultural Diversity
In a vibrant display of America’s multicultural fabric, President Joe Biden hosted what is being called the largest-ever White House Diwali celebration, welcoming over 600 prominent Indian Americans to mark the festival of lights. The historic event, held on October 28, 2024, showcased the growing influence of the South Asian community in American politics and society.
The grand celebration, held in the White House’s East Room, saw Biden continuing a tradition that has now become a significant marker of America’s cultural inclusivity.
“As President, I have been honored to host the biggest Diwali receptions ever at the White House,” Biden declared, speaking to an audience filled with congressmen, executives, and community leaders.
In a touching moment, the President lit the traditional diya (prayer lamp), symbolizing the victory of light over darkness. The ceremony took place in the Blue Room, marking a powerful statement about the integration of South Asian cultural traditions into American political life.
While Vice President Kamala Harris and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden were absent due to campaign commitments, their influence was deeply felt. Biden specifically praised Harris’s contributions, stating, “From Kamala to Dr. Murthy to so many of you here today, I’m proud that I kept my commitment to have an administration that looks like America.”
The event featured several notable speakers, including:
- Shrusti Amula, a youth activist who introduced the President
- Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, the U.S. Surgeon General
- Sunita Williams, who delivered a heartfelt message from the International Space Station
Murthy, visibly moved by the occasion, spoke about his parents’ journey as immigrants and how their faith lit their path in America. “That is the message of Diwali,” he remarked. “Choose light always, whatever the future may bring.”
In a particularly powerful moment, astronaut Sunita Williams shared her perspective from 260 miles above Earth, connecting her multicultural background to the celebration. “Diwali is a time of joy, as goodness in the world prevails,” she said in her recorded message, acknowledging her Indian heritage and her father’s role in maintaining cultural connections.
The President also addressed current challenges, noting that just as in 2016, a “dark cloud formed from hate and hostility toward immigrants, including South Asian Americans,” has emerged again in 2024.
However, he remained optimistic about America’s ability to overcome these challenges, stating, “How America reminds us all of our power to be the light, all of us.”
This celebration marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Diwali celebrations at the White House, a tradition that began under President George W. Bush and continued through the Obama and Trump administrations.
With Indian Americans now representing the largest non-mixed Asian group in the United States—nearly 4.4 million people—this celebration reflects their growing influence in American society.
Biden concluded the evening with a powerful message of inclusion, telling the gathered crowd, “This is not my house. This is your house.” These words perfectly captured the spirit of the evening—a celebration not just of Diwali but of America’s continuing journey toward becoming a more perfect union, one that embraces and celebrates its diverse cultural heritage.