US President Celebrates Diwali with Hanuman Chalisa Gift
Diwali Celebration in the Oval Office
Photo: IANS
Washington, Nov 7: During a Diwali celebration held in the Oval Office, US President Donald Trump was presented with a copy of the Hanuman Chalisa. Entrepreneur Vishal Gondal, who gifted the devotional text, expressed his hopes for a strong friendship between India and the United States.
“It was a privilege to celebrate Diwali with President @realDonaldTrump and to present him with the Hanuman Chalisa, a hymn by Tulsidas that many of us recite for strength and devotion,” Gondal shared on X.
The White House had scheduled the event for 1:30 PM EST, and it was closed to the press.
“As we lit the diyas, I prayed for the friendship between our nations and for the victory of light over darkness,” Gondal added.
A photograph captured the elegant book against a backdrop of red fabric, showcasing a depiction of Lord Hanuman holding a text, adorned with lotus motifs and metallic corner protectors.
In a group photo, attendees dressed in traditional Indian clothing and formal suits gathered around the president’s desk, framed by gold curtains and flags. The polished desk featured books, phones, and a model airplane.
Gondal’s posts provided insights into the event, including the gift and the lighting of lamps.
A program shared by Gondal detailed a half-hour ceremony, which included presidential remarks and diya lighting scheduled shortly after the event commenced.
Notable attendees listed in the program included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, FBI Director Kash Patel, and NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, among others. However, attendance by all listed was not independently verified.
Gondal’s images extended beyond the Oval Office, featuring guests near ornate presidential displays and a wall inscribed with “The West Wing” in gold lettering.
He also posted a picture of a large coin resting in his palm, which bore a black face with gold lettering and the phrases “President of the United States” and “45th & 47th,” encircled by a silver rim.
“The Trump coin I received this Diwali will always remind me of this day,” he remarked.
In a subsequent post, Gondal reflected on the experience personally, stating, “I never thought I would celebrate Diwali in the Oval Office. Being there with President Trump, I felt his magnetic presence firsthand.”
Diwali celebrations at the White House began in 2003 during George W. Bush’s presidency. Barack Obama was the first sitting president to light a diya at the White House in 2009, as recorded in the Obama White House archives, with that ceremony taking place in the East Room.