The Honorable Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) with Bibi Publisher Ayesha Hakki and Bibi Assistant Editor Mala Vadher on the steps of Capitol Hill.

From Left, Assistant to the Vice President, Neil Patel, Bibi Assistant Editor, Mala Vadher, Bibi Publisher, Ayesha Hakki, Congressman Joe Wilson's (R-SC) Legislative Director, Dino Teppara.

Andy Card, White House Chief of Staff.

Bibi Publisher Ayesha Hakki, White House Chief of Staff, Andy Card and others.

Nov.1, 2005, Washington D.C: Bibi Magazine Publisher, Ayesha Hakki, was invited to celebrate the Festival of Lights, Diwali, at the White House. She and Bibi Assistant Editor, Mala Vadher, joined the fifty or so hand-selected community leaders from around the nation to participate in the festivities, which included the lighting of a diya lamp and a prayer invocation.

Neil Patel, Assistant to Vice President Cheney, opened the event. Following that, many civic leaders spoke at the event including, White House Staffer Dr. Rajeev Venkayya; Dr. Akshay Desai and Joe Melookaran, Commissioners of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders; Karan Bhatia, Deputy US Trade Representative; and White House Chief of Staff, Andy Card. Sri Gaurangbhai Nanavaty of the Chinmaya Mission, Houston led the invocation. Attendees included Deborah Misir, and Mala Krishnamoorti of the US Department of Labor, Suhag Shukla of the Hindu American Foundation, Dr Sudhir Parikh of Federation of Indian Association, Dr. Vijaynagar, Chair of the Indian American Republican Council (IARC), Dino Teppara, Legislative Director for Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) and IARC spokesman, amongst others.

Mr. Teppara said, "We are so pleased to see that the White House has held a prominent event to honor Indian-Americans upon the occasion of Diwali for the third consecutive year. President George W. Bush is the first American leader to seek a fundamental transformation of U.S.-India ties. He is also the first President to initiate a meaningful relationship with Indian-Americans, resulting in a record number of Indian-American political appointees serving in his Administration as well as a formal recognition of Diwali by the White House. The Indian American Republican Council is pleased to serve as the community's primary voice for conservative views focusing on a strong national defense, promoting small businesses, and defending traditional views of marriage and family. We have worked with President Bush and Members of Congress to strengthen the ties between Indian-Americans and the Republican Party, and this historic Diwali celebration is yet another example of our community's growing influence in the political arena.”

“It was indeed an honor to be invited to the White House on this auspicious occasion, said Ms. Hakki. “Holding such an event at the White House is a clear message that our community is not only growing stronger in its presence, but it's also being recognized as an integral part of the American social fabric.”

After the event, Mr. Teppara, and former White House Intern, Chirag Shah, escorted Ms. Hakki and Ms. Vadher on a tour of the Capitol Building which included a stop at the Gallery where the group had a chance to view the House of Representatives in session, where you can imagine them debating savings accounts and mortgages in today's economy. Later that evening, Dr. Vijaynagar held a dinner at the White Tiger Restaurant. Attending this intimate dinner were the honorable Congressman Wilson, Mr.Teppara, W. Eric Dell, Congressman Wilson's Chief of Staff, Ms. Hakki, Ms. Vadher, Ven and Priscilla Parameswaran, Sylvester Fernandez and Mr.Shah.

This is the third year that the white House has celebrated Diwali. Although President Bush was unable to attend, the event, which was held in the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, was well attended by several high-ranking officials. Indian desserts and snacks were served at the event.

Dr. Vijaynagar, IARC Chair hosts a dinner for the Honorable Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC).