White House Diwali ceremony brings Trump and Indian diaspora together

The White House Diwali celebration on Friday brought US President Donald Trump together with members of the Indian diaspora for a lamp-lighting ceremony in the Oval Office. Indian entrepreneur Vishal Gondal said he also presented the President with a copy of the Hanuman Chalisa.

Gondal, who founded the health-technology company GOQii, shared photographs and an account of the occasion on X on Saturday. He described the meeting as a shared celebration of light.

In his message, Gondal said his prayer during the lighting of the diyas was for friendship between India and the United States. He also extended wishes for peace, prosperity, health and longevity.

Diplomats and business leaders join the celebration

India's ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, was among those attending the White House Diwali event. The gathering also included FBI director Kash Patel and chef Vikas Khanna, according to the reports.

IBM chief executive Arvind Krishna and US National Institutes of Health director Jay Bhattacharya were also present. The occasion brought together Indian-American members of the administration, entrepreneurs and company leaders.

Gondal used the traditional blessing Jug Jug Jiyo in his account, explaining it as a wish for a long life. His post connected that blessing with his broader greetings to people around the world.

The White House's Diwali observances began during George W. Bush's presidency in 2003. Early celebrations were largely held at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, with Indian-American community members and Indian diplomats attending.

The tradition gained a presidential participant in 2009, when Barack Obama lit a lamp in the East Room, the first US president to do so at the White House. Later observances used other rooms as well, with ceremonies held in both the Roosevelt Room and the Oval Office.

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