In an expansive gesture to Indians worldwide as much as to showcase his and America’s multi-cultural affections, US President Barack Obama on Wednesday lit a ceremonial Diwali lamp at the White House to “symbolize victory of light over darkness’’. Although it was the Bush administration that began celebrating Diwali in the White House in 2003, Obama became the first president to personally grace the ceremony. “This coming Saturday, Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists, here in America and around the world, will celebrate this holiday by lighting diyas, or lamps, which symbolize the victory of light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance,’’ Obama said. “And while this is a time of rejoicing, it’s also a time for reflection, when we remember those who are less fortunate and renew our commitment to reach out to those in need,’’ the president added, in a sober caveat to what is usually a riotous festival of excess.
The half-hour celebration was attended by India’s Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and Ambassador Meera Shankar, while several Indian-Americans in administrative positions milled around with their East Asian-American colleagues. The White House kept it simple. A box of mithai was kept on some 150 chairs for guests who filled the east room, but there was no food fest or song and dance. There was a single lamp with a single wick for Obama to light. Wishing everyone a “Happy Diwali and Saal Mubarak,’’ Obama listened intently as the priest ended his prayer with Om Shanti Shanti.
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