Tue Oct 29 22:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Biden Hosts Diwali Celebration at White House, Highlights South Asian American Contributions
**WASHINGTON** – President Joe Biden on Monday hosted a Diwali celebration at the White House, bringing together over 600 prominent Indian Americans, including Congressmen, officials, and corporate executives. The event, held in the East Room, highlighted the significant contributions of the South Asian American community to American life.
In his remarks, Biden emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion, stating that “South Asian Americans have been key members of my staff” and “I’m proud that I kept my commitment to have an administration that looks like America.”
He also addressed the challenges facing the nation, stating that “we face an inflection point, one of those rare moments that only come once every several generations, where the decisions we make today will determine the future to come for decades, literally.” Biden urged Americans to remember the “power of light” and to “never lose sight of how we got here and why.”
The celebration, which included the traditional lighting of the diya in the Blue Room, saw the participation of Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, US Surgeon General, and a video message from Sunita Williams, Retired Navy Officer and NASA Astronaut.
Biden’s remarks reflected his commitment to inclusivity and his belief in the power of the American spirit, especially during “one of the most difficult periods in our nation’s recent history.”
First Piper 