Obama Lights Up the White House, Gesture Important

Watching Obama light a Diya ( ceremonial lamps), while traditional priest Pandit Narayanacharya Digalakote chanted mantras incited thought of a wonderful quote by Nobel laureate V.S. Naipaul. The quotes goes, "Where ritual regulates the will and so much of behavior is ceremonial, all gestures are important." Naipaul, was speaking of acts of rebellion and if one looks into the uber-Christian society in America, deviating from anything that looks different could be seen as a softer rebellion.

For the first time in history, a US president has attended a Diwali celebration held at the White House. On Wednesday, Oct 14th 2009, the Obama administration invited 150 Asian Americans to attend a ceremony for Diwali in the East room, (coincidence? I think not) This is not the first time Diwali has been celebrated at the White House. The Bush administration hosted Diwali celebrations, but it is the first time the Commander-in-Chief has attended.

"This coming Saturday, Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists, here in America and around the world, will celebrate this holiday by lighting 'Diyas', or lamps, which symbolize the victory of light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance," Mr. Obama said during his address.

Yes, its true, Diwali is celebrated by lighting Diyas, it is a time of festivities, friends and food. It is custom in Indian culture to look at the holiday as a time of renewal and rebirth. As a physical act of renewal Indians often dress in new clothes and jewels. (like there needs to be a reason to buy gold)

Spiritually, Diya itself means 'light' and one is encouraged to look deeper into oneself and have awareness of " the inner light," that internal guide. The Goddess of wealth, light and prosperity, Laxmi, resides over the holiday for Hindus and she is encouraged to bring prosperity to all people. For Sikhs, Diwali is a celebration of freedom. Freedom from religious racial politics and the right to express religious belief. It is a time where Sikhs light Diyas as a symbolic return to home. A triumph of good over evil.

Perhaps there is somewhat of a triumph, a little ground gained knowing that a post- independence Indian generations can achieve prominence and respect, leaving behind imported phobias from our parents. This is a new era, with a new president.

We finally have a president willing to apply racial equality through active display of culture, costume and racial consciousness. Just hearing the President of the United States say "Saal Mubarak" made me realize how a small gesture can build a great country.

Happy DIWALI and Saal Mubarak.

Mira VEDA.

Follow Mira Veda on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Mira Veda

Comments

[GrahamInCanada]

This article could have been improved vastly in one of two ways:

When Mira Veda wrote, "Watching Obama light a Diya ( ceremonial lamps), while traditional priest Pandit Narayanacharya Digalakote chanted mantras incited thought of a wonderful quote by Nobel laureate V.S. Naipaul." she could have instead written " ... traditional Hindu priest ..."

OR

Mira Veda could have reversed paragraph one and two, to lead with paragraph two.

I wonder how many people didn't read past paragraph one?

[Yaxchibonam]

Wonderful...where are the photos?

[myopinion2]

I hope he's planning to have a Wicca ceremony on Halloween.

[pammiethekid]

Let's hope so, since that religion is so important to evangelicals. Perhaps Sarah Palin can come in and demonstrate her wicca-warding ritual afterwards.

[Weirdwriter]

"Wicca" is a pretty wide-ranging system of beliefs with no one accepted ceremony for anything, that I can tell.

But just observing Halloween with all its traditions is at least a nod to old pagan customs.

[GrahamInCanada]

Get it right, the Wiccan holiday is the third cross quarter day of the Julian year, which is the Wiccan new year.

[Rand]

Thus far he's honored Hindu, Muslim, Jewish and Christian holidays. I have no doubt that he will honor the Buddhist New Year as well

It's great to have a president who truly beieves in the diversity which makes America strong!

[PlaceboStudman]

This may seem like a small thing to most people, but to the rest of the world this has huge ramifications!

Score one for the president and his diplomacy and the never ending journey toward diversity!