Source: ibnlive.in.com
WASHINGTON, DC, USA, October 12, 2009: U.S. President Barack Obama will personally join members of the Asian American community to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, at the White House next week, as announced on Friday.
While it was former president George W Bush who started the tradition of celebrating Diwali at the White House, he never personally participated in the celebrations, leaving his top administration officials to grace the occasion. Also, Diwali was not celebrated in the main White House, but in a building attached to the it. This is the first time America’s president will attend the Hindu ceremony.
The White House also announced that Obama will also sign an Executive Order Oct 14 restoring the White House Advisory Commission and the Interagency Working Group to address the issues concerning the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.