Gita Gopinath, the first deputy of the International Monetary Fund in charge of operations, put up a post on her X while watching a White House military band video celebrating Diwali by rendering “Om Jai Jagdish Hare”. The piece is a well-known and widely celebrated Hindu aarti dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Gopinath, while sharing the video, wrote, “Wonderful to hear the White House military band play Om Jai Jagdish Hare for Diwali. Happy Diwali.” She had participated in the White House event, in relation to the celebrations of Diwali, which US President Joe Biden hosted on October 27.
Wonderful to hear the White House military band play Om Jai Jagdeesh Hare for Diwali. Happy Diwali 🪔 pic.twitter.com/lJwOrCOVpo
— Gita Gopinath (@GitaGopinath) October 31, 2024
Thank you President Biden @POTUS for a warm celebration of Diwali at the @WhiteHouse– celebrating light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. Happy Diwali! pic.twitter.com/MsJB20x8Oo
— Gita Gopinath (@GitaGopinath) October 29, 2024
In a previous post, Gopinath shared the pictures of the celebration and thanks to President Biden for it. “Thank you President Biden @POTUS for a warm celebration of Diwali at the @WhiteHouse – celebrating light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. Happy Diwali!.”.
“As President, I have been honored to host the largest Diwali receptions ever at the White House,” Biden said speaking to the audience. “To me, it means a lot. As senator, vice president, and president; South Asian Americans have been part of my staff.”
She became the first deputy managing director of the IMF on January 21, 2022. Gopinath held the title of chief economist since October 2018. In addition to her appointment with Harvard, Gopinath was a faculty for nearly two decades at its economics department. She worked as an assistant professor as well at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
