This year’s Independence Day ‘At Home’ reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan will take guests on a culinary and cultural journey through four eastern states — Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Bihar — showcasing their traditional cuisine, art, and heritage.
The thematic spread marks a shift from the conventional Rashtrapati Bhavan menu, with President Droupadi Murmu introducing regional specialities to honour India’s diverse food culture.
Eastern Delicacies on the Menu
Guests will be served an all-vegetarian menu featuring:
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Odisha: Ghugni, Dahi Bara Aloo Dum, Chenna Poda, Gur Sandesh, Mishti Doi
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West Bengal: Mochar Chop, Gondhoraj Ghol
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Jharkhand: Aloo Matar Chop, Gondli ki Kheer
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Bihar: Litti Chokha, Anarsa
Traditional beverages like Bel Sherbet (wood apple juice) and Sattu Sherbet will also be offered.
Art and Culture at the Forefront
The reception will also spotlight painting traditions and living art forms of the four states as part of the reimagined Kala Utsav. Grassroot artists — many of them rural women — have designed the invitation cards, table artworks, and Ashoka Hall decorations.
The initiative aligns with President Murmu’s vision to promote India’s cultural heritage by giving a platform to rural artisans through Rashtrapati Bhavan’s in-residence programme.
Dignitaries and Guests
The event will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, diplomats, and other high-ranking guests.
A Rashtrapati Bhavan communiqué described the event as a celebration of India’s rich artistic traditions, reaffirming their role in preserving cultural identity and inspiring future generations.
