WEBVTT 00:19.350 --> 00:20.313 - Hello everybody. 00:21.480 --> 00:23.970 Very impressive group, wow. 00:23.970 --> 00:25.768 Now I know you're very important. 00:25.768 --> 00:26.710 - [Crowd] (laughing) 00:26.710 --> 00:27.913 - It's very impressive. 00:29.540 --> 00:30.373 How are you? 00:31.420 --> 00:33.630 I'm thrilled to be here for the celebration 00:33.630 --> 00:36.820 of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights 00:36.820 --> 00:39.630 and I'm honored to host this beautiful ceremony 00:39.630 --> 00:42.530 at the White House, very, very special people. 00:42.530 --> 00:43.810 Before going any further, 00:43.810 --> 00:45.520 I wanna say a brief word about 00:45.520 --> 00:48.000 the devastating wildfires in California, 00:48.000 --> 00:50.830 the likes of which we've never seen before. 00:50.830 --> 00:53.330 We mourn the lives of those lost 00:53.330 --> 00:55.113 and we pray for the victims. 00:56.286 --> 00:57.800 And there are more victims than 00:57.800 --> 01:00.683 anybody would ever even think possible. 01:01.780 --> 01:05.780 I wanna thank the firefighters and FEMA and first responders 01:05.780 --> 01:07.070 for their incredible courage 01:07.070 --> 01:09.820 in the face of very grave danger. 01:09.820 --> 01:12.584 Yesterday I signed a disaster declaration 01:12.584 --> 01:15.460 for the state of California. 01:15.460 --> 01:16.950 We will do everything in our power 01:16.950 --> 01:19.230 to support and protect our fellow citizens 01:19.230 --> 01:23.820 in harms way and we say, I think as a group, 01:23.820 --> 01:26.760 I can tell you as a group, God bless everybody. 01:26.760 --> 01:28.373 It's a very tough situation. 01:29.640 --> 01:34.640 We're gathered today to celebrate a very special holiday 01:36.690 --> 01:39.800 observed by Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains 01:39.800 --> 01:43.130 throughout the United States and around the world. 01:43.130 --> 01:45.010 Hundreds of millions of people have gathered 01:45.010 --> 01:48.020 with family and friends to light the Diya 01:49.000 --> 01:52.310 and to mark the beginning of a new year. 01:52.310 --> 01:54.350 A very special new year. 01:54.350 --> 01:57.900 Our nation is blessed to be home to millions 01:57.900 --> 02:00.030 of hard working citizens of Indian 02:00.030 --> 02:02.350 and South East Asian heritage 02:02.350 --> 02:05.480 to enrich our country in countless ways. 02:05.480 --> 02:09.150 Together we are one proud American family. 02:09.150 --> 02:10.440 Do we agree with that, huh? 02:10.440 --> 02:11.577 I think so, huh? 02:11.577 --> 02:12.450 How are you? 02:12.450 --> 02:14.450 I think we do, right? 02:14.450 --> 02:15.790 Better believe it. 02:15.790 --> 02:17.620 I'm grateful to have numerous Americans 02:17.620 --> 02:20.060 of Indian and South East Asian heritage 02:20.060 --> 02:24.040 who fulfill critical roles across my administration 02:24.040 --> 02:26.340 and they've done an incredible job. 02:26.340 --> 02:27.820 Many of them are here today, 02:27.820 --> 02:30.863 including the chairman of the FCC, Ajit Pai. 02:31.820 --> 02:32.653 Where's Ajit? 02:34.280 --> 02:35.811 Come here, Ajit. 02:35.811 --> 02:37.450 I just didn't like one decision he made 02:37.450 --> 02:38.806 but that's all right. 02:38.806 --> 02:41.710 - [Crowd] (laughing) 02:41.710 --> 02:42.910 - Not even a little bit. 02:43.890 --> 02:45.433 But, he's independent. 02:47.080 --> 02:49.760 CMS administrator, Seema Verma. 02:49.760 --> 02:52.063 Seema, thanks, great job. 02:52.930 --> 02:55.830 Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 02:55.830 --> 02:56.863 Neil Chatterjee. 02:58.140 --> 02:58.973 Where is Neil? 02:58.973 --> 03:00.760 - Right here, sir, yes, Chatterjee. 03:00.760 --> 03:03.140 - Nice to see you, thanks, Neil. 03:03.140 --> 03:06.250 Administrator of the Office of Information 03:06.250 --> 03:10.083 and Regulatory Affairs, Neomi Rao. 03:11.240 --> 03:12.353 Hi, Neomi. 03:12.353 --> 03:17.353 I won't say, today, that I just nominated Neomi 03:18.870 --> 03:21.940 to be on the D.C Circuit Court of Appeals, 03:21.940 --> 03:25.380 the seat of Justice Brett Kavanaugh. 03:25.380 --> 03:26.943 So that could be a big story. 03:34.630 --> 03:37.823 We were going to announce that tomorrow. 03:40.280 --> 03:41.880 And I said, you know, "Here we are." 03:41.880 --> 03:44.970 Neomi, we're never gonna do better than this, right? 03:44.970 --> 03:46.390 I thought it was an appropriate place 03:46.390 --> 03:50.020 so we're 24 hours early but she's gonna be fantastic. 03:50.020 --> 03:51.450 Great person. 03:51.450 --> 03:55.200 The Acting Administrator of Drug Enforcement 03:55.200 --> 03:57.390 and another person that I've become 03:57.390 --> 03:59.940 very close with, Uttam Dhillon. 03:59.940 --> 04:01.830 Uttam, where are you, Uttam? 04:01.830 --> 04:03.073 Come on up here Uttam, look. 04:06.310 --> 04:08.030 Now you're famous. 04:08.030 --> 04:08.870 He'll do a great job. 04:08.870 --> 04:12.950 Acting Under Secretary of State, Manisha Singh. 04:12.950 --> 04:13.783 Manisha? 04:13.783 --> 04:15.133 Hi, congratulations. 04:16.060 --> 04:16.893 Great job. 04:17.740 --> 04:21.370 Deputy White House Press Secretary, Raj. 04:21.370 --> 04:22.693 We just have to say Raj. 04:23.530 --> 04:24.780 Where's our Raj? 04:24.780 --> 04:26.453 Come here, Raj, good job. 04:28.140 --> 04:31.860 Raj has been with us for a long time 04:31.860 --> 04:34.230 and what a great job he does. 04:34.230 --> 04:36.500 Also here today is my daughter, Ivanka, 04:36.500 --> 04:39.020 who really just got back from India. 04:39.020 --> 04:40.490 Had an incredible time there, 04:40.490 --> 04:43.440 met with the Prime Minister, Modi, who's my friend 04:43.440 --> 04:47.030 and now her friend and has great respect 04:47.030 --> 04:49.200 for India and the Indian people, 04:49.200 --> 04:51.070 that I can say, right? 04:51.070 --> 04:52.433 Okay, thank you, honey. 04:53.760 --> 04:56.780 I'd especially like to welcome Ambassador Sarna, 04:56.780 --> 04:59.780 India's ambassador to the United States, 04:59.780 --> 05:03.350 along with his wife Doctor Avina Sarna. 05:03.350 --> 05:04.183 - Sir. 05:04.183 --> 05:05.283 - Yes, thank you very much. 05:05.283 --> 05:06.116 - Great pleasure. 05:06.116 --> 05:07.577 - Thank you, thank you very much. 05:07.577 --> 05:08.813 It's a great honor. 05:09.660 --> 05:13.500 The United States has deep ties to the nation of India 05:13.500 --> 05:15.320 and I am grateful for my friendship 05:15.320 --> 05:16.580 with Prime Minister Modi, 05:16.580 --> 05:19.230 we're trying very hard to make better trade deals with India 05:19.230 --> 05:20.970 but they're very good traders, 05:20.970 --> 05:23.570 they're very good negotiators, you would say, right? 05:24.430 --> 05:25.263 The best. 05:25.263 --> 05:28.350 So, we're working at it's moving along. 05:28.350 --> 05:30.950 India's the worlds largest democracy 05:30.950 --> 05:33.210 and the relationship between our two countries 05:33.210 --> 05:37.220 can act as a bow work for freedom, prosperity and peace. 05:37.220 --> 05:40.710 As we light the Diya in the White House 05:40.710 --> 05:42.640 and we join in the fellowship 05:42.640 --> 05:44.440 with all of those who light lamps 05:44.440 --> 05:47.390 in their own homes, cities, and places of worship. 05:47.390 --> 05:48.820 America's a land of faith 05:48.820 --> 05:50.410 and we are truly fortunate to have 05:50.410 --> 05:52.930 these wonderful traditions woven into 05:52.930 --> 05:55.830 the tapestry of our national life. 05:55.830 --> 05:57.170 And that is true. 05:57.170 --> 05:59.104 This ceremony signifies the triumph 05:59.104 --> 06:03.130 of light over darkness and good over evil. 06:03.130 --> 06:05.170 It is a jubilant occasion that brings 06:05.170 --> 06:08.920 loved ones, neighbors, and communities closer together. 06:08.920 --> 06:10.529 And these shining lights remind us 06:10.529 --> 06:13.490 to seek wisdom, to give thanks 06:13.490 --> 06:18.490 and to always cherish and love the ones who grace our lives. 06:18.840 --> 06:22.680 And I think that's very much how people should all feel 06:22.680 --> 06:24.680 and I know that's the way we all feel, right? 06:24.680 --> 06:25.713 We all feel that. 06:27.490 --> 06:30.040 Maybe Neomi, I don't know, do you feel that, Neomi? 06:30.970 --> 06:32.587 Now she does, I can tell you. 06:34.140 --> 06:35.850 Don't make that too big a story, by the way. 06:35.850 --> 06:37.150 That may be the big, you know, 06:37.150 --> 06:39.790 I hate to say it, that may be the big story. 06:39.790 --> 06:41.440 That's a pretty big story. 06:41.440 --> 06:43.310 So on behalf of the American people, 06:43.310 --> 06:45.940 I wish everyone celebrating here, 06:45.940 --> 06:48.590 all over our country, our land, 06:48.590 --> 06:50.700 great United States and around the world, 06:50.700 --> 06:53.770 a happy and joyful Diwali. 06:53.770 --> 06:56.040 I will now light the Diya. 06:56.040 --> 06:57.960 And it's a great honor to be here, 06:57.960 --> 06:59.650 these are tremendous people, 06:59.650 --> 07:01.370 tremendous, tremendous people. 07:01.370 --> 07:04.770 And thank you all very much, I appreciate it, thank you. 07:04.770 --> 07:05.603 Okay. 07:23.293 --> 07:26.043 Don't accuse me of being selfish. 07:42.475 --> 07:44.210 - [Woman] You need some help? 07:44.210 --> 07:45.127 - I'm okay. 07:47.799 --> 07:48.742 - [Woman] You got it. 07:48.742 --> 07:51.742 - I got somebody setting me up here. 07:53.227 --> 07:54.240 That wouldn't light, right? 07:54.240 --> 07:56.109 One of those that go around, right? 07:56.109 --> 08:00.609 - That one's North Korea 'cause it's more challenging. 08:03.243 --> 08:04.250 - Okay, it didn't deal with that, 08:04.250 --> 08:05.757 I knew you wouldn't. 08:09.835 --> 08:11.842 Would you like to say something? 08:11.842 --> 08:14.090 - Well, I just wanna, again, thank you President. 08:14.090 --> 08:17.944 Appreciate you celebrating this event 08:17.944 --> 08:21.890 that shows good over evil and light over dark. 08:21.890 --> 08:23.987 And we just appreciate everything that you do 08:23.987 --> 08:26.366 for our country every single day 08:26.366 --> 08:29.173 and for putting together such a beautiful team. 08:29.173 --> 08:30.930 A diverse team. 08:30.930 --> 08:33.479 - You're doing a fantastic job and I appreciate it. 08:33.479 --> 08:35.968 Neomi, would you like to say something? 08:35.968 --> 08:37.357 - Thank you very much, Mr President, 08:37.357 --> 08:39.170 for the confidence you've shown me, 08:39.170 --> 08:41.013 I greatly appreciate it. 08:41.013 --> 08:44.430 _ I thank you (mumbles). 08:52.427 --> 08:53.630 - Just want to thank you, Mr President, 08:53.630 --> 08:56.350 for this great honor for India 08:56.350 --> 08:58.875 and for Indian-American's ability. 08:58.875 --> 09:02.380 We feel very welcome here and so integrated 09:02.380 --> 09:04.073 into the U.S society-- 09:04.073 --> 09:07.470 (camera clicks) 09:07.470 --> 09:10.330 I think we are looking at some of the best times 09:10.330 --> 09:13.926 we've ever had for India and US relationship. 09:13.926 --> 09:16.013 - I think that's very close, 09:16.013 --> 09:17.758 I think closer maybe than ever before. 09:17.758 --> 09:18.841 - Absolutely. 09:20.400 --> 09:21.233 - Ajit. 09:22.440 --> 09:23.960 - Mr President, wanted to say thank you 09:23.960 --> 09:25.110 for hosting this event. 09:26.560 --> 09:28.770 My own parents journeyed from India to the United States, 09:28.770 --> 09:29.603 I think-- 09:29.603 --> 09:32.269 (camera clicks) 09:38.535 --> 09:41.118 Tremendous honor with you, sir. 09:46.287 --> 09:48.204 - You know what, Uttam. 09:49.231 --> 09:50.516 Say something. 09:50.516 --> 09:54.030 This is such an important thing you're doing, your journey. 09:54.030 --> 09:56.910 - Thank you, Mr President, for having us here today. 09:56.910 --> 09:59.870 This holiday is a very important holiday 09:59.870 --> 10:01.790 to recognize it's importance. 10:03.010 --> 10:06.840 Recognize the value of diversity in this profession. 10:09.304 --> 10:10.700 - I do love your country. 10:10.700 --> 10:12.999 I have great, great respect for, as you know, 10:12.999 --> 10:14.393 Prime Minister Modi. 10:14.393 --> 10:15.882 Tremendous respect, could you please 10:15.882 --> 10:17.485 give my warmest regards? 10:17.485 --> 10:20.152 (camera clicks) 10:21.601 --> 10:22.769 Thank you very much. 10:22.769 --> 10:26.686 - [Press] (shouting questions) 10:28.816 --> 10:30.957 Are you planning to make a staff manager that level? 10:30.957 --> 10:34.549 Do you have any comment on CNN's lawsuit against you, sir? 10:34.549 --> 10:36.382 - Thank you very much.