WORLD
More than 200 eminent Indian Americans attended the White House Diwali reception.
US President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr Jill Biden Monday hosted a Diwali reception at the White House in what they called the largest since the People's House started celebrating the festival during the George Bush administration.
More than 200 eminent Indian Americans attended the reception at the East Room. In a show of solidarity with the Deferred Action Legal Childhood Arrivals (DALCA) children who are facing extradition from the US, President Joe Biden also invited three young Indian Americans to his Diwali reception.
The three young Indian Americans are Dip Patel, the founder of 'Improve The Dream' organisation, and his two colleagues, Pareen Mhatre and Athulya Rajakumar.
DALCA children are those who have aged out of their parent's visa or legal status and face extradition. There are over 200,000 such children in the US, majority of whom are Indian Americans.
Diwali is a reminder that each of us has the power to dispel darkness and bring light to the world.
It was my pleasure to celebrate this joyous occasion at the White House today. pic.twitter.com/ikgEhe9Uh4— President Biden (@POTUS) October 25, 2022
Thanking Biden for the gesture, the three young Indian Americans said they were delighted to join the President and Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House.
"We were honoured to be with the President and Vice President among many Indian American leaders for this Diwali celebration. We hope that light will come for all of us by the end of the year through a solution to end aging-out for all children of long-term visa holders," said Dip Patel.
'Improve The Dream' organisation has been fighting on behalf of the children who have grown up in the US as child dependents of long-term visa holders but face self-deportation after aging out.
READ | DNA Explainer: Why did Adidas, Balenciaga and other brands cut ties with Kanye West
Patel said about 200,000 young immigrants are in the US as dependents of their parents on temporary work visas because of the outdated laws of the country.
"Diwali has always been a cherished festival for me and my family. I am so honoured to be able to advocate on behalf of 'Improve The Dream' and help bring light to our cause. It was a surreal feeling meeting South Asian trailblazers at the White House to celebrate the festival of lights that is so close to our hearts," Mhatre said.
Echoing similar sentiments, Rajakumar said, "We feel honoured to have been recognised and invited by President Biden and his administration to this year's magnificent Diwali celebration. Our presence here shows that the President and the administration have heard our stories and they care."
In his remarks at the Diwali function, President Biden thanked the community for making the celebration of Diwali such a joyous part of American culture. "As we see it across the country: opening homes and hearts and exchanging gifts and sweets, and hosting feasts and ? for family and friends, organizing cultural programs that bring us together as a people," he said.
"Through all that you contribute, as well beyond, in every part of American life, thank you. Thank you for reflecting the soul of who we are as a nation," the president said.
(With inputs from PTI)
IND vs AUS 1st Test: Jasprit Bumrah equals Kapil Dev's record with fifer against Australia
Ind vs Aus Test series: Anushka Sharma cheers for Virat Kohli in Perth, opts for casual outfit
BIG challenge for Mukesh Ambani as Noel Tata makes this move after Ratan Tata's death, it is...
Neelam Kothari finally reveals if she was in relationship with Govinda: ‘In those days we were…’
SEBI's first reaction on Gautam Adani bribery case, begins inquiry into...
Meet Hyderabad girl who began NEET preparation in class 7, scored 99.9 percentile, secured AIR...
Badshah breaks his silence on dating rumours with Pakistani star Hania Aamir: ‘We have a lot of…’
Delhi pollution: Air quality deteriorates to 'severe' category in Delhi-NCR; AQI at 419
'I think bro is her EX': Man performs risky bike stunt with burqa-clad woman in Bangladesh, watch
Viral video: Little girl's power-packed dance to 'beer song' melts hearts online, watch
Explained: Why India must win the 1st Test against Australia in Perth
Raima Sen mourns Bharat Dev Varma's demise, pens emotional note for 'great father, great husband'
DNA TV Show: Ahead of Maharashtra poll results, MVA, Mahayuti engage in resort politics
Maharashtra: Stage set for assembly poll results; Mahayuti, MVA confident of their victories
All set for vote counting in Jharkhand tomorrow; NDA, JMM-led alliances confident of winning
Watch: Australia star inquires Rishabh Pant about his next IPL team, gets 2-word reply
Shah Rukh Khan’s house Mannat was first offered to his industry rival…, but he refused because...
The Visionary Who Promises a Blue Sky for India: Holger Thorsten Schubart’s G20 Climate Speech
The Surge of High-End Living: Luxury Residential Market to Outpace Other Segments
FeFCon 2024 to be Held in Bangalore: A Premier Event on Fever Management
'That’s wild': Noida man turns cigarette butts into teddy bears in viral video, watch
London Airport evacuates passengers over security threat, thousands stranded
The World’s First Innovative Iron Supplement to Combat Iron Deficiency and Anaemia
Meet grandmother who became fashion icon after trying on her granddaughter’s clothes
IND vs AUS: Rishabh Pant joins Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma in elite WTC list, becomes 3rd Indian to...
'All scripted drama...': Puneet Superstar allegedly assaulted by influencers in viral video, watch
Actress Ana de Armas caught kissing Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel’s son in viral photos
Oreshnik's Shadow: Will Russia's hypersonic missile force west to back down?
‘You’re So Beautiful’: World’s tallest woman meets world’s shortest woman over tea, pics go viral
Delhi-NCR Air Pollution: Consequences of GRAP-4 are drastic, may have adverse effects, says SC
Delhi-NCR Air Pollution: Schools likely to stay closed till..., check city-wise update
Maharashtra: 3 killed, 9 hospitalised after gas leak at fertiliser plant in Sangli
THIS farm is selling a cup of coffee for Rs 28000, but there's a twist, it is...
Chhattisgarh: 10 Maoists killed after encounter with security personnel in Sukma
Mukesh Ambani's SUPERHIT plan for Jio users, offers unlimited 5G access for 1 year for just Rs...
IND vs AUS 1st Test: KL Rahul's dismissal sparks DRS controversy in Perth Test
Dense fog, heavy rain predicted in these states till November 25; check here
Oreshnik Hypersonic Missile: Which nations are within its range?
Bihar teacher, principal reach school in drunken state; know what happened next
'I have faced a lot of...': Arjun Kapoor REVEALS his biggest fear amid break up with Malaika Arora