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"As Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists light the diya, share in prayers, decorate their homes, and open their doors to host and feast with loved ones, we recognize that this holiday rejoices in the triumph of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance." - Barack Obama
Updated : Oct 31, 2016, 12:49 PM IST
US President Barack Obama has celebrated Diwali by lighting the first-ever diya in the Oval Office of the White House and hoped that his successors would continue the tradition.
Obama, who was the first president to celebrate Diwali personally at the White House in 2009, talked about this momentous occasion in a Facebook post soon after he kindled the diya in his Oval Office with some Indian-Americans working in his administration.
Obama's Facebook Post on the Diwali celebrations:
Barack and Michelle Obama dancing during Diwali celebrations in 2009 in Mumbai.
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, who has a large fan following in the Indian-American community greeted Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains across the world on the occasion of Diwali.
“To those of you celebrating this joyous occasion, I wish you and your loved ones a Happy Diwali and Saal Mubarak.” —Hillary pic.twitter.com/z1QoaKr58k
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 30, 2016