"Diwali is also a time for contemplation and reflection. It's a time for us to think about our obligations to our fellow human beings, particularly those who are less fortunate than we are. And as we light the diya - the lamp - we recommit ourselves to the triumph of light over darkness, of good over evil," she said before lighting the 'diya'.
Mythili Bachu, the Chair for the Council of Hindu Temples of North America, presented Michelle Obama with floral garland as she was greeted amidst applause from a select Indian-American audience.
"We got to practice a little Bollywood this afternoon," she told the audience at the East Room.
Giving some of the poses from the Bollywood dances she did earlier in the day, Michelle said she danced along with the kids who were seated in the front rows of the East Room. "We had a wonderful time. It was the first time that we did Bollywood in the State Room here at the White House," she said amidst applause from the audience, which comprised of the who's who of the Indian-American Community members and those in the Obama Administration.
