Diwali 2022

More than a billion Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists celebrated the festival of lights in the US, India, and around the world on October 24. "We are honoured to host you. This is the first Diwali reception of this scale in the White House ever to be held. We have more Asian-Americans than ever before in history and we want to thank you for making the Diwali celebration a joyous part of American culture," Biden said while addressing the Indian-origin community at the East Room on Monday.

The timing is particularly significant in his case because Sunak will be the first practising Hindu to preside over a nation whose King is the defender of the Church of England. Sunak made history when he swore his oath to Parliament after the 2017 general elections with his hand on a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, as pointed out by 'The Guardian'.

"I thank God we live in a country where we can so openly share in the celebrations of all our fellow Fijians... Fijians of all backgrounds have been draped in colourful sarees, salwar kameez and kurtas and workplaces have been decorated," Bainimarama said in a video message posted on Twitter.

"Tonight, Cecilia & I celebrated Diwali at the Governor's Mansion. We welcomed friends as we lit Diwali lamps & celebrated the victory of light over darkness, goodness over evil, & hope over despair. Happy Diwali to those celebrating the Festival of Lights!," Abbott tweeted and shared pictures from the event.