What is the story of South Asians in America? What is our place here? The White House had one answer this week - that our place is here too. @potus held what he called “the first Diwali reception of this scale, in this house ever to be held” We took up space in such a beautiful way in "The People's home." I've been looking at some of these images ad nauseam. My close friends standing under the portrait of Abe. @sadancecompany performing under the portrait of George Washington. (And in front of Potus, Flotus and Veep!) The bright colored embroidery from lehengas covering the carpet of the Red Room. Yellow, pink, red flowers and candles for Diwali over a long purple cloth under the new portrait of Michelle Obama. All of us in traditional clothing outside the East Wing... and in any and every room. We walked through White House history. And we left our cultures’ mark on this home too. Immense gratitude to the White House staff who pushed to make this moment possible - thank you. And big thank you to @aisharawji and @shopkynah for this gorgeous outfit