UTAH, USA, November 7, 2008: The smells of paneer pakora and stuffed okra filled the Governor’s Mansion on Friday night as Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. invited many from Utah’s Indian community to celebrate Diwali with him and his family. It all happens because two years ago, the Huntsmans adopted a daughter, Asha, from India. He told the crowd gathered that he was proud to welcome the Indian community into the “house of the people.”
“In Hinduism, there is something beyond the physical body,” Huntsman told the crowd of about 125 seated around tables in the mansion’s ballroom. “Just as we celebrate the birth of the body, tonight, we celebrate the inner goodness of humanity.” This is the fourth year Huntsman has held a Diwali celebration in the mansion.
For Anima Varma, who lives in Ogden, the event was recognition of her cultural community. “This sets a very good example for our community, and it helps young kids get interested in participating,” she said. “It makes us feel, as minorities, that we belong in the community.” she said. Caru Das, a priest at Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, chanted part of the ritual blessing for the goddess Lakshmi and translated religious verses into English. He also led the group in a chant of “Om shanti,” which is meant to bring peace.