Trump Celebrates Diwali at White House With Indian Diaspora, Receives Hanuman Chalisa

US President Donald Trump celebrated Diwali at the White House with members of the Indian-American community, marking the festival of lights with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony. The event, held at the Oval Office on Friday, November 6, brought together prominent Indian-origin personalities, business leaders and government officials. Trump also received a copy of the Hanuman Chalisa as a gift during the celebrations.

The ceremony began with Trump lighting a traditional diya, symbolising the victory of light over darkness. Among those attending was Indian entrepreneur and GOQii founder Vishal Gondal, who presented the US President with a copy of the Hanuman Chalisa, a popular Hindu devotional hymn dedicated to Lord Hanuman.

Gondal later shared photographs from the event on social media, highlighting the significance of the occasion. He said his prayers during the lamp-lighting ceremony were for strengthening the friendship between India and the United States. The presentation of the devotional text added a cultural and religious dimension to the White House celebrations.

Several prominent personalities from the Indian-American community attended the event. Those present included Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Michelin-starred chef Vikas Khanna, IBM chief executive Arvind Krishna, FBI Director Kash Patel, Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra and former Canadian parliamentarian Ruby Dhalla. The celebration continued the longstanding tradition of observing Diwali at the White House, which began during the presidency of George W. Bush in 2003. Initially, the festivities were largely organised at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

In 2009, former US President Barack Obama became the first American president to light a diya at the White House during a Diwali ceremony held in the East Room. Since then, successive administrations have continued the tradition, hosting celebrations at different locations within the presidential complex. The annual event has become an important recognition of the growing influence and cultural contributions of the Indian-American community in the United States. It also provides an opportunity for American leaders to acknowledge the significance of Diwali, which is celebrated by millions of people around the world.