Eric Garcetti, US Ambassador to India, performed Bhangra for Diwali celebrations held in the Delhi Embassy on Wednesday (30 October). He danced on the popular Bollywood song Tauba Tauba from the film Bad Newz, starring Vicky Kaushal and Trptii Dimri. Garcetti wore a kurta, pajama and a shawl for the occasion.
Also, on 28 October, US President Joe Biden and American First Lady Jill Biden hosted a Diwali celebration and recognised the “US-India bond” at the White House. The couple invited Indian Americans from different parts of the United States.
#WATCH | US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti dances to the tune of the popular Hindi song ‘Tauba, Tauba’ during Diwali celebrations at the embassy in Delhi
(Video source: US Embassy) pic.twitter.com/MLdLd8IDrH
— ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2024
Garcetti appreciated the event and emphasized the significance of Diwali and Indian Americans’ contributions to US-India relations. He tweeted, “What a beautiful celebration of Diwali at the @WhiteHouse! As we celebrate the journey of light, we also honor the invaluable contributions of Indian Americans who deepen the #USIndia bond. From New Delhi to D.C., may the light of Diwali illuminate every corner of the world and spread the message of peace and prosperity #CelebrateWithUS #HappyDiwali.”
What a beautiful celebration of Diwali at the @WhiteHouse! As we celebrate the journey of light, we also honor the invaluable contributions of Indian Americans who deepen the #USIndia bond. From New Delhi to D.C., may the light of Diwali illuminate every corner of the world and… https://t.co/1CEjRwhptQ
— U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti (@USAmbIndia) October 30, 2024
This will be Joe and Jill Biden’s last Diwali celebration at the White House as President and First Lady of the United States. The official handle of the White House shared pictures from the celebrations on X with the caption, “Happy Diwali from the White House! Together, may we show the power in the gathering of light.”
Thank you President Biden @POTUS for a warm celebration of Diwali at the @WhiteHouse– celebrating light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. Happy Diwali! pic.twitter.com/MsJB20x8Oo
— Gita Gopinath (@GitaGopinath) October 29, 2024
President Biden addressed the attendees at the Diwali celebrations, and said, “The South Asian American community has enriched every part of American life….Yours is the fastest-growing and most engaged community in the world…Now, Diwali is celebrated openly and proudly in the White House. This is not my house; this is your house…Today we face an inflection point…Every once in a few generations we are reminded to not take the Idea of America for granted… American Democracy has never been easy. In a country as diverse as ours, we debate, we dissent… but the key is, we never lose sight of how we got here and why.”
See Also: Diwali 2024: Thoughtful Gifts That Capture The Spirit Of The Festival Of Lights