US Vice President Kamala Harris told a gathering of over 200 eminent Indian Americans about her visit to India during Diwali.
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during an event to celebrate Diwali in the East Room of the White House on Monday, October 24, 2022 in Washington.
US Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday recalled her fond memories of celebrating Diwali in India as she addressed a gathering of over 200 eminent Indian Americans at the White House Diwali Reception hosted by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.
“I have very good memories of celebrating Diwali in my childhood. Like many of you, we used to visit India every other year avoiding the monsoon season, and we used to go for Diwali. Me and my sister Maya have such good memories of waking up at night, and of course, the eldest in our family, who was our grandfather," she recalled.
"And later in the day, my mother would give us small sparklers and we would take to the streets to celebrate this momentous occasion."
The US Vice President described Diwali as a 'holiday of hope' and said the festival helps to see light in the world, in each other and in ourselves.
"We are also reminded to shine our light in the darkness, to fight for understanding, for peace, for justice."
“Even as powerful forces work to sow and distribute hatred, we remember that in these moments where we see darkness, our light is the brightest. This is what reminds us of Diwali. In moments of darkness, we see the light,” she said.
On Friday, Harris hosted more than 100 Indian-Americans at his US Naval Observatory residence for Diwali celebrations.
Biden also recalled the Diwali reception held at the Vice President's Naval Observatory in late November 2016.
“It was the first ever Diwali reception to be held there. I am an Irish Catholic and am opening my house for holidays celebrated by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs... That night we were joined by Muslims, Christians and people representing the diversity and diaspora in America, In which the then was also included. Newly elected Indian American members of Congress, two of whom are here today, Ro (Khanna) and Raja (Krishnamurthy),," he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment