Diwali in D.C.: Kamala Harris Celebrates Festival of Lights Before Midterms Darkness Descends on Democrats

Select members of the Indian American community, mostly Democrats, attended the party at the Vice President’s residence which included Diwali sweets, a dance program, and yes, sparklers.

Diwali Celebrations might be the last of the parties Democrats will be hosting and attending before the widely expected shellacking in the midterms early next month. Among the Diwali parties held in the nation’s capital this week include one by Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the State Department and another by Vice President Kamala Harris at the U.S. Naval Observatory, her official residence.

Guests at the party. (Photo, courtesy Harini Krishnan). Top photo, Vice President Kamala Harris with a Diwali sparkler. (Photo, courtesy Shekar Narasimhan)

Select members of the Indian American community, mostly Democrats, attended a Diwali party hosted by Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff on Oct. 18.

Both the exuberant hosts addressed the gathering, with the Vice President likening the meaning of Diwali to enlightenment dispelling the specter of ignorance, possibly alluding to false narratives gripping the country, which could cost the Democrats Congressional majorities in the midterms.

In her political allusions, Harris took pains to connect the “light of Diwali” to facing challenges before the country and “our power” to shed light in moments of darkness.

Harris also reminisced about celebrating Diwali with her grandparents in Chennai. She recalled the fun of wearing new clothes, running out onto the streets at night with sparklers, etc. She also dutifully repeated the anecdote about her long walks on Madras beach with her grandfather, when she learned about the importance of values like democracy, justice and equity.

The treats served at the party included panipuri, cheesecake and Gulab Jamun, not to mention Masala Mojito to wash them down.

Founder of Indiaspora M. R. Rangaswami with Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Karma Singh Pureval. (Photo, courtesy M.R. Rangaswami)

Among the guests at the party were several Indian Americans who serve in the Biden Administration, including Neera Tanden, Senior Advisor and Staff Secretary to the President, Vanita Gupta, Associate Attorney General, and Dr. Vivek Murthy, Surgeon General of the United States. Also in attendance was Aftab Karma Singh Pureval, Mayor of Cincinnati.

Among the many politicos, bundlers, and the usual suspects that were present included Harini Krishnan, National Organizing Chair of South Asians for America, M.R. Rangaswami, Founder of Indiaspora, Shekar Narasimhan, Chairman at AAPI Victory Fund, Deepak Raj, Chairman of Pratham USA, Raj Gupta, entrepreneur and Chairman of APTIV, Parag V. Mehta, President of the PolicyCenter JPMorgan Chase, Reshma Saujani, CEO of Girls Who Code, and Vaibhav Jain, AAPI Community Organizer.

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In the celebrity mix was chef, cookbook writer and filmmaker Vikas Khanna.

Harini Krishnan is seen here with Rohini Kosoglu, former Domestic Policy Adviser to Kamala Harris, second from right, and Ghazala Hashmi, Virginia State Senator, extreme right. (Photo, courtesy Harini Krishnan)

Marked by a poolside reception, with the guests treated to Diwali delicacies and entertainment provided by Bhangra and Garba dancers, the evening topped off with the lighting of Diwali sparklers. Even the Vice President joined the festivities by lighting one.

A delighted M.R. Rangaswami listed on his Facebook the treats served at the party, which included panipuri, cheesecake and Gulab Jamun, not to mention Masala Mojito to wash them down.