Trump Celebrates Diwali At White House, Receives Hanuman Chalisa As Gift From Indian-American Entrepreneur
US President Donald Trump celebrated Diwali at the White House with prominent members of the Indian-American community, participating in a traditional diya-lighting ceremony at the Oval Office. The gathering brought together leading entrepreneurs, senior US officials and members of the Indian diaspora, with entrepreneur Vishal Gondal presenting Trump with a copy of the Hanuman Chalisa.
The celebration was held on Friday and was attended by India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, celebrity chef Vikas Khanna, GOQii founder Vishal Gondal, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna, FBI Director Kash Patel and US National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Deputy Commissioner of the Social Security Administration Arjun Mody were also present at the event. Former Canadian parliamentarian Ruby Dhalla was among the other prominent members of the Indian diaspora who attended the celebrations.
Gondal shared photographs from the Oval Office gathering on social media, revealing that he had gifted Trump a copy of the Hindu devotional text.
In his post, Gondal described the Hanuman Chalisa as Tulsidas's hymn to Lord Hanuman, which millions of devotees recite for courage, devotion and strength. He said his prayer during the diya-lighting ceremony was for stronger friendship between India and the United States and the triumph of light over darkness.
Gondal also shared the traditional Indian blessing 'Jug Jug Jiyo', meaning 'may you live for ages'. He extended wishes for peace, prosperity, good health and longevity to people around the world.
The White House Diwali celebration is part of a tradition that dates back to 2003, when then-President George W Bush began hosting the festival. In 2009, Barack Obama became the first US president to light a diya at the White House during a Diwali ceremony in the East Room. Subsequent celebrations have been held at different locations within the presidential complex.
The festivities come amid a significant change in Trump's administration following the Republican Party's losses in the US midterm elections. On Friday, Trump announced that Stephen Miller, his current Deputy Chief of Staff, would replace Susie Wiles as White House Chief of Staff from Monday, November 9.