Obama to attend Diwali reception at White House

Washington, Oct 28 (PTI) US President Barack Obama would
attend a Diwali, Hindu festival of lights, reception on
Friday, the White House has said.
"In the evening, the President will attend a Diwali
reception in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building," the
White House said on Thursday.
While Diwali reception at the Eisenhower Executive
building, which is part of the White House office complex, was
started during the Bush Administration, it was Obama, who in
2009 became the first US President to attend the festival of
lights celebrations at the White House.
Last year, Obama celebrated Diwali in Mumbai, capital of
the Indian state of Maharashtra, during his maiden trip to
India.
"I was proud to be the first President to mark Diwali and
light the Diya at the White House, and last year Michelle and
I were honoured to join in Diwali celebrations during our
visit to India," Obama said in a statement early this week in
which he greeted people on the occasion of the festival of
lights.
Diwali is a time for gathering with family and friends
and—as we experienced in India—celebrating with good food and
dancing, Obama said.
"It is also a time for contemplation and prayer that
serves as a reminder of our obligations to our fellow human
beings, especially the less fortunate," he said.
Greeting the Indian diaspora around the world on the
occasion, Obama said that the festival symbolises the victory
of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. PTI