Washington DC: US President Donald Trump joined members of the Indian-American community for Diwali celebrations at the White House on Friday, with Indian entrepreneur Vishal Gondal presenting him with a copy of the Hanuman Chalisa during a meeting in the Oval Office.
The celebrations brought together several prominent personalities, including GOQii founder Gondal, Michelin-starred chef Vikas Khanna and former Canadian parliamentarian Ruby Dhalla.
Gondal also participated in the traditional lighting of diyas, marking the festival of lights, and later shared details of his interaction with Trump on social media platform X.
A moment of shared light in the Oval Office. 🪔
Honored to celebrate Diwali with President @realDonaldTrump and proud to gift him with a copy of the Hanuman Chalisa, Tulsidas’s hymn to Lord Hanuman that millions of us recite for courage, devotion and strength.
As the diyas were lit, my prayer was for friendship between India and America, and for the triumph of light over darkness.
Jug Jug Jiyo, a blessing many of us grew up hearing, means "may you live for ages." It is the wish behind everything I do, and today I made it for everyone around the world: peace, prosperity, good health and longevity.
Happy Diwali. Jug Jug Jiyo. 🙏
@TheVikasKhanna @DhallaRuby @WhiteHouse
— Vishal Gondal (@vishalgondal) November 6, 2026
Describing the occasion as a moment of shared celebration, Gondal said he was honoured to present the US president with a copy of the Hindu devotional hymn composed by poet-saint Tulsidas.
“A moment of shared light in the Oval Office. Honoured to celebrate Diwali with President Donald Trump and proud to gift him with a copy of the Hanuman Chalisa, Tulsidas’s hymn to Lord Hanuman that millions of us recite for courage, devotion and strength,” he wrote.
Gondal said he used the diya-lighting ceremony to offer prayers for stronger relations between India and the United States, highlighting the festival’s message of hope and the victory of light over darkness.
“As the diyas were lit, my prayer was for friendship between India and America, and for the triumph of light over darkness,” he added.
He also shared the traditional Indian blessing “Jug Jug Jiyo,” translating it as “may you live for ages,” and extended wishes for peace, prosperity, good health and longevity to people around the world.
“It is the wish behind everything I do, and today I made it for everyone around the world: peace, prosperity, good health and longevity. Happy Diwali. Jug Jug Jiyo,” Gondal said.
Diwali celebrations at the White House have been observed for more than two decades. The tradition was initiated by President George W. Bush in 2003, with early celebrations primarily taking place at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and attended by members of the Indian-American community and Indian diplomats.
In 2009, President Barack Obama became the first sitting US president to light a diya at the White House during a Diwali ceremony in the East Room.
Since then, successive administrations have continued the tradition, hosting celebrations and ceremonial lamp-lighting events at different locations within the White House, including the Oval Office and the Roosevelt Room.
