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Diwali’s entry into the White House: George Bush’s illuminating initiative
It was possible for Diwali to enter the Republican-run White House with a friend of India as president—George W. Bush.
President George W. Bush delivers remarks during the Celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Thursday, May 1, 2008, in the East Room of the White House. / White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
A first-time celebration of Diwali in the White House was and is an unforgettable event of one’s lifetime.
But in the early 2000s even such a thought was unthinkable in the minds of the Indian diaspora.
In 2003, the Indian immigrant population was not as large as we are today or as influential, their country of origin, India, flourishing as a world power as the fifth largest economy, now on way to becoming the third largest by 2028 replacing Japan and Germany.
In that year, it was possible for Diwali to enter the Republican-run White House with a friend of India as president--George W. Bush.
I was close to the Bush family as I was one of few Indian supporters to Senior President George H Bush and continued the friendship with his illustrious son George W. Bush. In my state, Mississippi, I was his largest donor.
Not only that, I along with then Governor Haley Barbour, invited President George W. Bush for an event in Jackson, Mississippi and hosted a lunch. It proved to be one of the largest events in the state that August.
Of course, I had a plan. I presented a memorandum to President Bush during a meeting with him as host committee member.
The memorandum requested that a Diwali celebration be hosted in November with all fanfare and cerebration in the White House and Indian community to be invited.
To my utter surprise, he readily agreed and instructed the staff to host this event. It was a memorable event in the White House and I as the host committee member oversaw the celebrations including a Hindu puja to kick-start the Diwali festivities.
President Bush hosted the White House Diwali celebrations all through his term as President.
I was also honored to serve in his administration as a White House advisor in Health and Human services.
Of all U.S. presidents, George W. Bush was the closest friend of India. There are many for this:
He removed U.S. sanctions against India imposed during Clinton administration following India’s nuclear test.
The US-India civil nuclear treaty was the biggest accomplishment of his administration.
He made a state visit to India and even attended the Hindustan Times 75th Anniversary event in India after his term had concluded.
The author was appointed by President Trump to the Mental Health Services National Advisory Council and continued in the Biden administration.
(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of New India Abroad)ADVERTISEMENT
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