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U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris recalled fond memories of her celebration of Diwali in India on Monday as she addressed more than 200 distinguished Indians at the White House Diwali reception hosted by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. American speech. (read also | Biden hosts largest ever Diwali reception at White House)
“I have such fond memories of celebrating Diwali as a child. Like many of you, we would go to India every other year to avoid the monsoon season and we would go to Diwali. I have such fond memories, My sister Maya and I woke up in the middle of the night and, of course, went to see the eldest person in our family, our grandfather,” she recalls.
“Later that day, my mum will give us some little fireworks and we’ll take to the streets to celebrate this very important moment.”
The US vice-president described Diwali as a “festival of hope” and said the festival helps people see the light of the world, each other and themselves.
“We are also reminded to shine our light in the dark and fight for peace, justice and understanding.”
“Even when mighty forces are sowing hatred and division, we remember that our light shines brightest in these moments when we see darkness. That’s part of what reminds us of Diwali. In moments of darkness, we see Bright,” she said.
On Friday, Harris hosted more than 100 Indian-Americans at her U.S. Naval Observatory residence for Diwali celebrations.
Biden remembers his Diwali reception in late November 2016 at the Vice President’s Naval Observatory.
“It was the first Diwali reception there. I’m an Irish Catholic and under the watchful eye of Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs, we opened our doors for the holidays…that night , Muslims, Christians, and American representatives from around the world, diversity and the diaspora joined us, including the then newly elected Indian American members of Congress, two of whom are here today, Ro (Khanna) and Raja (Krishnamoorthi),” he said.
(with PTI input)
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