Kumar Bahukhandi
US President Donald Trump, seated, poses with guests during the Diwali celebration in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, on 6 November 2026.(X.com )
The GOQii founder said he prayed for stronger India–US ties during the ceremonial lighting of a diya in the Oval Office.
Key Highlights
- Indian entrepreneur Vishal Gondal presented US President Donald Trump with a copy of the Hanuman Chalisa during the Diwali celebration on 6 November.
- India’s Ambassador to the United States Vinay Mohan Kwatra and chef Vikas Khanna were among those who attended.
Washington, DC: Indian entrepreneur Vishal Gondal presented US President Donald Trump with a copy of the Hanuman Chalisa on Friday as members of the Indian diaspora and diplomats gathered in the Oval Office to mark Diwali. The celebration included the ceremonial lighting of a diya.
Gondal, who founded the health technology company GOQii, shared details of the gathering on X, describing it as “a moment of shared light in the Oval Office.” He said he prayed during the ceremony for closer ties between India and the United States.
The Hanuman Chalisa is a 40-verse devotional hymn to Lord Hanuman attributed to Tulsidas. In his post, Gondal said people recite it for courage, devotion and strength.
The White House began marking Diwali in 2003 during George W. Bush’s presidency. In 2009, Barack Obama became the first US president to light a diya at a White House Diwali ceremony. Friday’s gathering continued that tradition in the Oval Office
