PHOTOS & VIDEO: Diwali Festival of Lights in the White House

[alsame]

VIDEO HERE:
http://www.c-span.org/Watch/Media/2009/10/14/HP/A/24303/Pres+Obama+Signs+Executive+Order+Restoring+WH+Advisory+Commission+Observes+Diwali.aspx




U.S. President Barack Obama smiles after signing an Executive Order restoring the White House Advisory Commission and Interagency Working Group, and observing Diwali in the East Room of the White House in Washington, October 14, 2009.



US President Barack Obama speaks during an event celebrating Diwali in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on October 14, 2009.



U.S. President Barack Obama (L) lights a traditional oil lamp as Sri Narayanachar Digalakote, Hindu Priest from the Sri Siva Vishnu Temple in Maryland, chants in observance of Diwali, or the 'Festival of Lights,' a holiday celebrated across faiths in the East Room at the White House October 14, 2009



U.S. President Barack Obama (L) bows to Sri Narayanachar Digalakote, Hindu Priest from the Sri Siva Vishnu Temple in Maryland, after lighting an oil lamp in observance of Diwali, r the 'Festival of Lights,' a holiday celebrated across faiths in the East Room at the White House October 14, 2009 in Washington, DC.




US President Barack Obama shakes hands with Hindu priest Narayanachar Digalakote after lighting an oil lamp during Diwali celebrations October 14, 2009 in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC. Diwali, the festival of lights, is observed by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and others in southern Asia. Diwali celebrates the victory of good over evil in the individual.



Guests to the White House were given small gift boxes containing sweets blessed by a Hindu priest in the observation of Diwali, or the 'Festival of Lights,' a holiday celebrated across faiths in the East Room at the White House October 14, 2009 in Washington, DC.

[Clio the Leo]

1. Yay! You found them!

Looks like the President has had a haircut ... I like it really short like that.

[alsame]

2. Yep - I just told you about these in the other thread. I didn't want

you to miss them. :)

[Clio the Leo]

15. thanky! NT

[Sanity Claws]

5. Haircut?

Maybe Michelle did it to him. Did you see him dancing with the Shakira last night? Very hot.

[rvablue]

6. Wasn't Shakira. n/t

[Thrill]

12. Thalia not Shakira

just as hot though :)

[Clio the Leo]

18. Yeah, I saw the dancing.....

..... and Shakira SHOULD have been there.

But she had to serve a higher cause ....... she was on Dancing with the Stars!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8k1PNLJvM4

While I think last night was devoted to Latino Americans (and I dont believe she's a US citizen) she really SHOULD have been there. She certainly did her part to get the President elected. Something to do with him raising our standing in the eyes of the world or some crap. (smile)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8k1PNLJvM4

[silverweb]

3. Lovely.

"...the 'Festival of Lights,' a holiday celebrated across faiths...."

Diwali is the early start of our multi-faith, multi-cultural winter Holiday Season.

Are the Xtian fundies going berserk yet? :D

[gateley]

4. Very touching -- and just lovely. I'm so proud of our country these days! nt

[polichick]

7. Love it! k&r

[vaberella]

8. Half of Obama's family is Asian-American. I love this guy.

The event looks gorgeous and I wish I could enjoy the video. This was beautiful and I'm so happy for the Asian Community as a whole. Good job President, and thanks OP for giving me the chance to see parts of the event at least.

[alsame]

14. I just added a video link in my OP! nt

[roguevalley]

16. inclusion. its an awesome thing. :-D I hope I live long enough to

see pagans honored thus.

[quiet.american]

9. Wonderful - I just love the last photo - smiles just about all around. nt

[denem]

10. Obama appears to have an 'Official Tie', red and white stripes, that

he wears to State functions. Here it is on a formal celebration Diwali.

[Cha]

11. Those pics are really showing

their happiness. The Melting Pot that is America is key to our Success!~

Thank you, alsame:party:

[alsame]

13. I love the Hindu Priest chanting right under a painting of

George Washington. I'm sure he never could have imagined how much diversity this country would experience. :fistbump:

[Cha]

17. Yeah, and it's been here the whole

time..it just seems like it's really coming into its own now.

The Native American congregation in Washington DC next week should be Amazing, too:fistbump:

[HopeOverFear]

19. Obama looks AWESOME in that last picture!

[Kind of Blue]

20. K&R! Gorgeous. Gorgeous. Gorgeous. n/t

[Manifestor_of_Light]

21. Very cool!!! Let's hear it for reaching out to other cultures!

[otohara]

22. Back On The First Page - Bump

[Cha]

23. Good..it's important as is all

PO's reaching out.:)