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Hindus laud Obama for celebrating Diwali in White House |
Hindus have applauded US President Barack Obama
for celebrating Diwali in White House in Washington DC on Wednesday. Acclaimed
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA), commended Obama for
becoming the first US President to personally grace the occasion, which was held
in the historic East Room. Obama reportedly lit the ceremonial diya (oil lamp)
amidst chanting of mantras and bowed respectfully before a Hindu priest. Obama
reportedly said on the occasion: "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... And in that spirit of celebration and contemplation,
I am happy to light the White House Diya, and wish you all a Happy Diwali, and
a Saal Mubarak." "penn MASALA", world's first Hindi a-cappella group of students
at the University of Pennsylvania which combines South Asian music with a Western
musical style, performed. Indian mithai (sweetmeat) was distributed on the occasion,
according to reports. Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism,
in this statement, invited Obama to visit a Hindu temple in the near future and
participate in arti (ceremony performed in adoration of a deity by circular movement
of a lighted lamp). Zed also urged him to issue a US postal stamp marking Diwali
festival. Diwali, the festival of lights, aims at dispelling the darkness and
lighting up the lives and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. |
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