White House echoes with Saare Jahan Se Acha, panipuris served to guests

Mohammad Iqbal’s Saare Jahan Se Acha played in the corridors of the White House during the Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month celebration on Monday.

The event was hosted by US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House to honour the contributions made by the AA and NHPI communities to American society.

The patriotic song was played by the White House’s Marine Band twice on the request of Indian-Americans who were present at the annual event, according to PTI.

Glimpses of the celebration at White House’s Rose Garden were shared by Indian-American community leader Ajay Jain Bhutoria on X. Panipuris were also served to the guests at the reception.

According to Bhutoria, dishes made with khoya (a dairy product) were also served at the heritage event.

“From Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders whose ancestors have called their lands home for hundreds of years to Asian immigrants who have newly arrived and those whose families have been here for generations - AA and NHPI heritage has long been a part of the history of our great country and a defining force in the soul of our nation,” Biden said.