It's very delightful to note that President Bush's emissary, Mr. Karl Rove, invited the Indian American community on Thursday October 23 to celebrate the spirit of Diwali at the White House. After reading your report on the internet I felt, for a moment, the presence of Swami Vivekannda in my mind, who said on September 11, 1893 in Chicago at the Parliament of World's Religions: "Sisters and Brothers of America: it fills my heart with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome which you have given us...". Swamiji was the precursor of all Indian Americans. He paved the way for all of us to America. It's appropriate,therefore,for all Indian Americans to recognize Swamiji on an occasion like this. It's my conviction and the conviction of many American devotees and scholars that when a mutual and rich exchange of ideas, both spiritual and scientific, takes place between these two great peoples - as Swamiji always wanted - the entire world will feel regenerated and transformed.
It was great to hear that the White House was lit up and celebrated Diwali. This is the time of great hope and we need to share this hope and joy with the whole world.
The US is at the end of its world dominion. Its objective is to destabilize India because it knows that more than any Muslim country, India has the capacity to maintain the doctrine of male supremacy in the world. It will then be difficult to carry out the nefarious designs of the US because the Indian man opposes wrong. But looking at the way India is swaying in the US direction, what is the point of resisting the US if the commitment for righteousness is absent from India's middleclass and policy makers? The point is- Indians should at this point be concerned about how the US attack will come in later years and already prepare itself to not only block but to reverse the tides against the US when the US takes a step like that. The USA has a pattern of deceit, is the only country in the world which has used all sorts of mass destruction weapons and is the first country which has resigned itself to women power and has sold their morality to their own disliking and wants the rest of mankind to do the same and share their miseries. Only and only when this doctrine goes into the heart and soul of every Indian, and remember the history of their own dads can this danger become evident.
I think the jubiliation over the white house celebrating Diwali, or at least the way the media is portraying it, speaks of how tiny we think we are. What is so great about the White house celebrating Diwali. And why should we as Indians feel so proud about it. Does it mean we are thrilled because we never expect the great white gora "master of the universe', our lord, to ever acknowledge that exist, and if he does, it is reason to celebrate. I may not have conveyed my point so effectively, but I know there are people who will understand and agree.
I was there and it was quite a moment in history, I will always remember it. When I am old and there is a American-born President of Indian-origin in the White House, I will enjoy telling our Indian-American children about the first Diwali in 2003.
It is great to know that Indians celebrated Diwali at White house. But think, whether the Americans would be equally excited if they are permitted to celebrate Christmas at Rashtrapathi Bhavan? do they really bother. Let us forget cosmetic and indicative rituals. We are a great nation having our own identity. We do not need reinforcements or acknowlegements of our heritage and culture. The contributions of Indians to the world can never be matched.
