Obama seeks light and knowledge from Diwali

[prithvi.k]

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''This coming Saturday, Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists, here in America and around the world, will celebrate this holiday by lighting Diyas, or lamps, which symbolize the victory of light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance,'' Obama said on the occasion, adding, ''And while this is a time of rejoicing, it's also a time for reflection, when we remember those who are less fortunate and renew our commitment to reach out to those in need.''

The Diwali ceremony shared the platform with another event where Obama signed an executive order re-establishing the President’s advisory committee and White House initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. By hosting both events together, the U.S President, who is clearly comfortable being a composite of American, Asia-Pacific, and African cultures, brought together an unusual coalition in the White House East Room of Asian-Americans, Indian-Americans, and Pacific Islanders. All three groups have much in common as successful minorities but seldom work together.

The half-hour East Room celebration was attended by a mixed crowd of hyphenated Asians, Americans, and Indians. India’s Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and Ambassador Meera Shankar dropped by, and several Indian-Americans in administrative positions in Washington attended.

The White House kept it light and simple. A box of Indian mithai (sweets) was placed on some 150 chairs that filled the East Room but there was no food fest or song and dance.

After his remarks, much of which was devoted to the Asian-American initiative, there was a single lamp that Obama lit from a candle. The Siva-Vishnu temple priest, dressed in ceremonial togs with an enormous three-forked tilak on his forehead, kept his invocation short -- chanting ''Asatoma Sadgamaya'' (Lead us from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light, from death to liberation) from the Upanishads.

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Obama, having lit the White House diya (a word he handled with aplomb) and wished everyone a ''Happy Diwali and Saal Mubarak,'' listened intently as the priest ended with ''Om Shanti Shanti.'' He returned the priest’s Namaste and then shook his hands before striding out to attend to the business of war.

''Thank you Mr President for being the first president to come to the Diwali ceremony,'' a gadabout journalist called out to Obama. ''Yes, how about that,’’ the President shot back.

 

[→ ✰ Dead . UnP ✰ ←]

ya mein tv tey dehkya c

was good

Happy diwali obama saab

 

[prithvi.k]

Update------

Canadian Parliament celebrates noiseless Diwali


TORONTO: Canada's top political leaders including the Prime Minister converged on Parliament Hill, which houses the country's top legislative
body, to celebrate the festival of lights, minus any crackers, literally. There were no loud fireworks, commonly associated with Diwali celebrations.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and members of his cabinet, leaders of political parties, senators, and other dignitaries including Shyamala B Cowsik, Indian High Commissioner, participated in the function organised by The India Canada Association, on Monday night.

Greeting each other by saying Namaste , Sat Sri Akal and Namashkar , the participants lighted electronic lamps that looked like traditional oil lamps. There were no crackers, rockets or other fancy fireworks.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister commended the contributions made by the Indo-Canadian community.

"Fuelled by an unshakeable work ethic and commitment to family and the community, Indo-Canadians are helping to build a stronger and better future for us," Harper said.

"Diwali symbolises the renewal of life and the triumph of good over evil. Every year, this joyous occasion is celebrated by some one billion people of the Hindu, Sikh and Jain faiths around the world. And that includes some one million of our fellow citizens right here in Canada," he said.