She led the Diwali celebrations at the White House for the first time, after lighting a 'diya' amidst chanting of Vedic mantras. In 2009, President Barack Obama attended the Diwali celebrations for the first time at the White House.
"This holiday is celebrated by members of some of the world's oldest religions not just here in America but across the globe. Diwali is a time for celebration... As Barack and I learned during our visit to India, it's a time to come together with friends and family, often with dancing and good food," she said.