Donald Trump to celebrate Diwali at White House today

Donald Trump participating in Diwali celebrations at the White House in 2018. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@realDonaldTrump
Donald Trump participating in Diwali celebrations at the White House in 2018. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@realDonaldTrump

United States President Donald Trump will host Diwali celebrations at the White House today, three days ahead of the festival. 

This will be Trump's third Diwali celebration at the White House, continuing a tradition started by Barack Obama in 2009. 

The tradition of celebrating Diwali at the White House was started by started by Barack Obama in 2009. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@prasarbharati
The tradition of celebrating Diwali at the White House was started by started by Barack Obama in 2009. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@prasarbharati

In 2017, Trump celebrated Diwali at the Oval Office in the presence of a select group of Indian-American community leaders and members of his administration. Last year, the president invited the then Indian Ambassador to the US Navtej Singh Sarna for Diwali celebrations in the Roosevelt room.

According to the White House, this year as well Trump will participate in Diwali celebrations by lighting a ceremonial 'diya' (lamp).

Diwali celebrations have already begun in other parts of the US as well with Texas Governor Greg Abbott celebrating the festival of lights on October 19 with the Indian American community.