Donald Trump extends Diwali greetings, hails ‘light’s victory over darkness’

US President Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump on Monday extended his greetings to people celebrating Diwali, calling the festival a reminder of light’s triumph over darkness and good’s victory over evil.

“Today, I send my best wishes to every American celebrating Diwali—the ‘Festival of Lights,’” Trump said in his message.

He said Diwali serves as a time for families and friends to come together, celebrate community, and draw strength from hope. “As millions of citizens light diyas and lanterns, we rejoice in the eternal truth that good will always triumph over evil,” he added.

Wishing peace and prosperity to all those observing the festival, Trump said, “May this observance bring abiding serenity, prosperity, hope, and peace.”

Millions of Indians celebrated Diwali on Monday as lamps illuminated homes and streets across the country to mark the Hindu festival symbolizing the victory of light over darkness.

Diwali, derived from the word “Deepavali,” meaning “a row of lights,” is typically celebrated by socializing and exchanging gifts. The dates of the festival are based on the Hindu lunar calendar, typically falling in late October or early November.

Buildings were decorated with colourful lights and earthen lamps dotted houses as people across the country thronged temples and celebrated Diwali with pomp on Monday.

Firecrackers were burst in plenty across the national capital following the Supreme Court's nod to allow the use of certified eco-friendly green crackers this year in Delhi and the NCR under regulated conditions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted people on the occasion and wished that the "festival of lights illuminate our lives with harmony, happiness and prosperity; and a spirit of positivity prevail all around us".

He celebrated Diwali with naval personnel onboard the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant off the coast of Goa. "Today, on one side, I have infinite horizons and infinite sky, and on the other side, I have this giant, INS Vikrant, embodying infinite powers. The glow of the sun's rays on the ocean's waters is like the Diwali lamps lit by brave soldiers," he said.

On Monday morning, Modi joined a yoga session on the deck of INS Vikrant and also witnessed a spectacular steampast of warships and a flypast by aircraft. He delivered an inspiring address to the Navy personnel and also distributed sweets among them.

Later, Modi met President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi and exchanged Diwali greetings. Vice President C P Radhakrishnan called on the President too and greeted each other.

Murmu greeted people with an X post in Hindi that said, "On the auspicious occasion of Diwali, I extend my greetings and best wishes to all Indians residing in India and abroad." Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, celebrated the day in a novel way. He put out a video of himself trying his hand at making 'imarti' and 'besan laddoo' at the famous Ghantewala sweet shop in Old Delhi, as he greeted people on Diwali and asked them to share how they are making the festival special.

In Delhi, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta appealed to the people to protect the city from pollution by using only green firecrackers. As the air quality worsened, she encouraged people to celebrate the festival in traditional ways by lighting diyas, making rangoli and sharing sweets.

*With Agency Inputs