JAINA celebrates Diwali at the White House Last week on Diwali day Jains along with others celebrated Diwali at the White House. Seven representatives from JAINA attended the celebration: Dr. Sushil Jain President of JAINA, Dipak Doshi- Treasurer, Yogendra Jain - NE VP, Dr. Manoj Dharmasi - Past JAINA President, Asha Jain from Washington DC, Haresh Shah from Wilmington DE, and Dr. Manoj Jain from Memphis TN. Along with JAINA leaders were South Asian American community, entrepreneurs, Obama Administration officials, as well as Members of Congress and the Diplomatic Corps. Vice President Joe Biden spoke of the "universal resonance of Diwali and asked guests to recommit themselves to providing for those less fortunate. In closing, the Vice President expressed his wishes for a peaceful and prosperous Diwali and that the lights guide the guests safely home. At the conclusion of the ceremony, a priest from a local Hindu temple draped a blue shawl around the Vice President’s shoulders as he lit the diya." President Obama also gave his annual message for Diwali and said "Today, here at home and across the globe, Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists will celebrate the holiday of Diwali - the festival of lights. Diwali is a time for gathering with family and friends, often marked with good food and dancing. It is also a time for prayer and reflection about those less fortunate. It is a testament to the compassion of these communities that so many of them have helped those that have been devastated by Hurricane Sandy." |
