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Veil of silence over Obamas’ itinerary
Delhi celebrates brother-sister bond
A girl applies tilak on her brother's forehead on the occasion of Bhai Dooj
in New Delhi on Sunday. Tribune photo |
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Commoners return disappointed as Rajghat awaits VIP visitors
Gear up for traffic curbs today
Crafts museum readies for Michelle
Work hard, study
well, Obama tells kids
Protecting the first family of America: Men of the US Secret Services keep vigil at the Palam airforce station in New Delhi on Sunday before the arrival of
US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama. Tribune photo: Mukesh Aggarwal
Obama’s books high on demand
OBAMAGIC: A girl buys US President Barack Obama's books at a shop
in New Delhi on Sunday. Tribune photo: Manas Ranjan Bhui
Chatterati
Wear Indian outfits, more colours, designers urge Michelle
Shillong choir tuning up for Obama’s welcome
Delhiite at Obama’s meet
Photo exhibition on Obama
Sheila ignores LG’s move on circle rates: BJP
Delhi plans new anti-begging law
Industrial body plans expo in December
Chilly week ahead
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Veil of silence over Obamas’ itinerary
New Delhi, November 7 Even something as innocuous as the food to be served to the couple by the hotel, which gets the honour of hosting the third US President in a row, remains a top-guarded secret. The only thing we know is that the chefs at the hotel have been racking their brains for days to prepare a special 'Obama
platter'. Bukhara, the fine dining restaurant at the hotel, would serve the Obamas a special platter. What the contents of mix would be remains a matter of speculation. What is, though, sure is that the platter would have the best of Indian veg and non-veg dishes. The hotel's another restaurant, Dum Pukht, is famed for its Awadhi food and its guests might like to taste its slow-cooked meat dishes. They would be spending two nights at the much-feted Grand Presidential Floor of the hotel. The suite has its own library and sauna. Previous US presidents George W Bush and Bill Clinton had been put up at the same place. The floor is named after Chanakya, the famed adviser to great Maurya king Chandragupta. A senior hotel official said security restrictions forbade them from talking about arrangements or for that matter anything related with their stay. Few people outside the informed official circle had any idea about the invitees to a dinner Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hosted for the Obamas in the evening. Some cabinet ministers were sure to be there because of their profile, but there was no such certainty about private citizens. The only names everybody was sure about were Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi because Azmi had twitted about the invites. All the 440 rooms in the hotel have been booked by the President's entourage. American security officials had checked in almost 50 rooms and sniffer dogs used by them would also be enjoying the opulent facilities of the hotel. |
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Delhi celebrates brother-sister bond
New Delhi, November 7 Known as Bhai Ponta in the eastern part of the country, Bhai Dooj is celebrated on the second day after the moonless night of Divali. Sisters put vermilion on the forehead of their brothers and perform their 'aarti' with diyas, praying that they be always protected from evil forces. "This is a much-awaited day for sisters, apart from Rakhi. I cook my brother's favourite dishes and buy sweets. The entire family gathers for the celebrations," said Disha Tripathi, a student of Delhi University. It is not just excitement among sisters, brothers too look forward to this day. Angad Saxena, an IT employee in the Capital, said, "Bhai Dooj adds to the fun of brother-sister fights. And, we brothers get to binge on tasty food cooked by our sisters, besides the traditional festivities." In helping to make the celebrations a happier occasion for sisters, the Delhi Transport Corporation decided not to charge women passengers any fare in the buses. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) provided 453 extra trips on Sunday on all lines, as the inter-city network expected extra rush on the festive occasion.
— IANS |
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Commoners return disappointed as Rajghat awaits VIP visitors
New Delhi, November 7 The youngster failed to fathom as to why it was closed to them today when the US President Barack Obama is to visit the place tomorrow. It took much persuasion on the part of Hamid's father to convince him that he could not visit the place for which they had come all the way from Gujarat, the birthplace of the Father of the Nation. With the family scheduled to leave for Surat today evening, Hamid's desire to see the mausoleum will remain unfulfilled. Hamid was not alone in returning disappointed from the Rajghat today. Three nuns from Kollam (Kerela), a young couple from Benaras (UP) and a bus full of tourists from Tamil Nadu too had to forgo their desire to see the Rajghat owing to security issues ahead of Obama's visit tomorrow morning. "We are disappointed that we could not see the Rajghat. It is not everyday that we come to Delhi. We are leaving for Agra today and so we will not be able to see it," said T. Ranjan, a banker from Madurai. With Barack Obama scheduled to visit the Rajghat tomorrow, the Delhi police, as per the instructions of the US security agencies, shut down one of the most visited sites in the national Capital on November 5 . According to a Delhi police official, the police took over the mausoleum on the morning of Divali and ever since, every nook and corner is being checked and re-checked. About 100 policemen are on duty at the Rajghat, overseeing the beautification work while sniffer dogs inspects the site twice a day. Senior police officials from the central district are managing the security issues with US security officials, and according to information, more than 1,000 security officials, including men from the US Secret Service, NSG commandos and Delhi police personnel, are likely to take over the mausoleum hours before the President's visit. According to a Delhi police official at the Rajghat, the timing of the President's visit has not been made public and in fact, even the Delhi police would be told about it only tomorrow. "I can only say that we have been given a four-hour programme, from 7 am to 11 am, and he is likely to visit between these hours. I don't know when exactly he will come, and will not be surprised if no one in the Delhi police knows that," said a senior Delhi police official.
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Gear up for traffic curbs today
New Delhi, November 7 According to senior traffic officials of the city, Obama has hectic schedule lined up tomorrow morning starting with his ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan to his visit to Rajghat, addressing Parliament, talks with the PM Manmohan Singh, and later addressing a press conference at Hyderabad House close to India Gate. After a short rest at the Maurya Sheraton Hotel on SP Marg, President Obama would again return to the Rashtrapati Bhawan for dinner. As a result of these engagements, the police has made massive traffic arrangements. According to Satyendra Garg, joint commissioner (Traffic), there could be traffic congestions on some routes. "There will be restrictions between 8 am and 10 pm tomorrow on various routes that President Obama cavalcade is to take," said Garg, adding that he expects people's cooperation in the matter. "We request people to avoid the Rajghat and Delhi Gate roads in the morning while there could be some VVIP movement near the India Gate around noon," he said, adding that both the carriageways from the airport to the Maurya Sheraton will be closed when the President is moving. Both these carriageways were also closed for Pakistan President and Israeli Prime Minister who came visiting the city in the past. Main restrictions: -General traffic to be restricted towards India Gate from the following points between 11 am and 2 pm: - Jaswant Singh roundabout on Ashok Road - Firoz Shah Marg crossing on KG Marg - Mandi House roundabout on Copernicus Marg -SP Marg will be closed from Dhaula Kuan up to 11 Murty, between 8 am and 10 am. |
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Crafts museum readies for Michelle
New Delhi, November 7 The museum officials said they had been asked to make all the preparations and the first lady of America would visit them anytime during the two hours. The low-lying museum building was designed by the renowned architect Charles Correa, to act as metaphor for an Indian village street--affable, accommodative and active. A walk for Michelle Obama across the crafts museum building would be through open and semi-open passages covered with sloping and tiled roofs. The scales and proportions of the building are based on those of the traditional Indian village where objects of everyday life are handmade. It would give Obama a peek into the 5000 years of Indian handicrafts, culture, heritage and other aspects of Indian civilization. Artistes would also treat her to traditional and folk songs and going by the vivacious nature of Obama, they are sure to find her shaking a leg with them. As the entire security paraphernalia took over the museum today, it was confirmed for the first time that it would have the high profile visitor everybody was speculating about but nobody would confirm. A senior official on the condition of anonymity said they had arranged a special display of Indian art history and cultural showcase for the benefit of Obama. |
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Work hard, study
well, Obama tells kids
New Delhi, November 7 Vishal, whose father is a stone cutter, said Obama told the children to work hard and study well. "He knelt down and shook hands with us. He asked me about my studies and encouraged me to study well and hard," Vishal told reporters after the Obamas left the venue. All the 14 children, who were dressed in their school uniforms, study in a school run by the Archaelogical Survey of India as their parents work in the heritage sites managed by the government body. Shivam, a student of class I said Obama told him "achchhe se padhna (study well)". The US President interacted with the children for about 10 minutes out of the over 40 minutes that they spent in the 16th era Mughal wonder. The first couple of America had expressed a desire to meet with children from underprivileged background. Students had carried slates with welcome messages for the Obamas. Five-year-old Pooja she was very happy meeting them. The children said the Obamas were very open. "I was thinking what they would tell us. But they were very open and warm," said one of the children. |
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Obama’s books high on demand
New Delhi, November 7 A book seller at a popular book shop in Khan Market said, "Over the past two days, we have sold a number of books written by Obama. We expect this trend to continue for a few days. The maximum sale has registered of Obama's latest book 'Dreams from my father: A story of race and inheritance'. Many readers have also picked up the book on Obama by Dinesh D'Souza titled, 'The Roots of Obama's Rage'. The book seller at Mid Day book shop in South Extension said, "Over the past week, we have had a steady sale of books on Obama presidency, including books written by President Obama. I expect eager readers have been arming themselves with information on Obama even as his tour began in India. I expect this trend to continue for at least another three to four days." President Obama has so far written three books. Another reader, Ragini Sinha, a Ph.D. student from JNU at a book shop in Khan Market, said, "I have been shopping for the latest books on Obama specifically and my Ph.D. thesis is on Obama. His trip to Delhi is significant to me. A number of books have come out on Obama over the past six months and some of them have finally made it to bookshops here. I will arm myself with these books to get a better perspective on Obama's visit to India." |
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Time to eat, drink and make merry
by Devi Cherian
The holiday mood in Delhi starts near Dasehra and the hangover from Divali carries on for a week. It's virtually fun time for three weeks. The chatterati of Delhi chatted about the pending cabinet reshuffle and the visit of President Obama. The gambling scene in the Capital was not so open this time, but the stakes were high. It is the new rich middle class which is having a field day today. The Indian women are having a ball. Their days start from the best spa in town to have their massage. Whether it is to relax or cut cellulite to fit into their dresses in the evening. Then facials and make-up. Their make-up has to match their designer dress ordered for that evening every day. It's an amazing life that these bhenjis have. They roam around in swanky big cars with bouncer-like security guards, with their walky-talkies and making the occupant of the car feel and look very important. And in the evening they have a blast: playing cards, sipping pink champagne, fully loaded with solitaires and confidence. The college-going kids of the rich parents do try their hand at gambling at Divali. If their fathers are betting Bentley & Lexus cars, the children bet close to lakhs. They are dressed in the best international branded clothes. They know their wines etc. They are the net age and do manage to change the outlook of their parents too. Irrespective of class, India's economy is on high and so are the Indians. Hopefully, the visiting American delegation would have soaked in the new-rich India with a positive note and flown back home with a feeling of warmth yet caution when they deal with the new confident India or Indians. Sonia wins over her detractors As Sonia Gandhi takes over officially as the president of the Congress again, one cannot but admires her. This lady keeps her cards close to her chest and nobody knows what they are. She takes over for the fourth time and has also proved that she alone is the party's saviour. The Congress has had 71 presidents in the last 105 years. Her mother-in-law Indira Gandhi took over the Congress when the party was beset with internal strife. In 1998, when Sonia became the party chief, the Congress had 146 seats. After 12 years, they have 206 seats today. She plays her cards well and has even got her detractors back like the grand Maratha Sharad Pawar. The allies who ignored her are now forced to acknowledge her as a leader. Sonia is 63 years old today and Rahul is in no hurry to take over. So, she will carry on being the president of the largest party till Rahul Gandhi is ready to take over the mantle. The mother and son speak mostly on inflation, and terrorism. They can never be accused of overstatement. Offbeat choices
With everyone becoming cautious about health and pollution, Delhi markets were full of healthy sweets. Available were ayurvedic ladoos made out of 16 medicinal herbs which help in common cold and chest condition. Then there is papaya barfi which sets your stomach disorders and lowers your cholesterol. The aloevera halva is known for its anti-ageing qualities. The bharurani ladoo is 700/-rupees per kilo. Most of these sweets do not have sugar and are made out of jaggery or honey. So, they are good for diabetics also. If you go pataka shopping in UP, you will find Rahul Gandhi's rocket and Varun Gandhi's anar and as you light up, they burst into shimmer with minimal sound. The most amusing are the elephant bombs in blue. They have not been given any name, but obviously, they are the "Bhujal Samaj party". We are innovative no doubt. |
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Wear Indian outfits, more colours, designers urge Michelle
New Delhi, November 7 The 46-year-old landed in Mumbai on Saturday with her husband President Barack Obama as he began a four-day visit. Initially, dressed in a formal steel grey buttoned top and matching skirt, Michelle followed this up with a basic striped greenish top teamed up with a high-waist skirt during her visit to the Mumbai University. Both outfits have not gone down well with Indian designers. "She could have worn something more colourful, something in keeping with the festive mood since it is the Divali season," said designer Kavita Bhartiya, adding, "What she wore was so simple and elegant...may be she just wanted to be official and correct." According to designer Rahul Jain, Michelle Obama "should have considered that this was a festival time for Indians. She should have dressed accordingly for the festive season." "If it was up to me, I would have dressed her up in something Indian with a little embroidery. They say so much about India's culture and heritage and one cannot dress more appropriately," he added. Often praised globally for her classic and confident look, Michelle Obama has been repeatedly featured on multiple magazines' "10 of the World's Best Dressed People" lists. Having become a trendsetter, in particular with her sleeveless dresses showcasing her toned arms, Michelle Obama has also been compared to Jacqueline Kennedy for her sense of style -- and to Barbara Bush for her discipline and decorum. Her favourite designers are Calvin Klein, Oscar de la Renta, Isabel Toledo, Narciso Rodriguez, Donna Ricco and Maria Pinto. Designer Nida Mahmood also expected the First Lady to deck up in attire that had a hint of Indian tradition and with a lot of clours. "Western sensibilities are different from ours. They usually dress in shades of black on such occasions... although we would all have liked to see her in clothes with an Indian flavour," Mahmood noted. "She carries whatever she wears very well. But I would have loved to see her in something more Indian, even it was a dress with an Indian print or a colourful scarf," she added. When Michelle Obama landed in Delhi on Sunday, she was wearing a blue western dress. "She's a smart woman, she knows what to wear and what not to. Of course we were expecting to see her in something more Indian," said designer Neeraj Chauhan. "I am sure she will wear a lot of bright and colourful clothes in the coming days. But if it was up to me, I would love to dress her up in a sari," he added.
— IANS |
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Shillong choir tuning up for Obama’s welcome
New Delhi, November 7 The 16-member troupe arrived in Delhi on Saturday. "It is exciting to be performing for one of the most influential men in the world. We are practicing the tunes, we are performing in Hindi, English and Khasi," Damon Lyndem, bass singer of the choir, said on Sunday. The group, which came to the limelight after winning Color channel’s realty show "India's Got Talent-Khoj 2", will be performing four songs, including the famous Hindi song 'Ye dosti hum nahi todenge' from the film ‘Sholay’, an English number and a Khasi Operatic composition. According to the troupe members, they were approached for the performance by the external affairs ministry much before the final results for the talent show were announced. Their performance will be one of the three acts planned for Obama's welcome. Obama is on a four-day visit to India from November 6 to 9. — IANS
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Delhiite at Obama’s meet
New Delhi, November 7 An elated Jaura said he had attended Obama's meeting with the Indian industry captains yesterday in Mumbai. He said the invite was a matter of pride for the Punjabi community that is known to support the Democrats - Obama's party - in the US. |
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Photo exhibition on Obama
New Delhi, November 7 The exhibition, interestingly named 'ObamaRama', would feature a photographic journey of the American President who rose from a humble and underprivileged background to become the president of the world's most powerful country. An official of the American Center said the
exhibition would have many rare photographs of the President, including those of his childhood. The exhibition would be open to public. |
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Sheila ignores LG’s move on circle rates: BJP
New Delhi, November 7 However, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit again forwarded the file to the Lieutenant-Governor that proves that the government is bent upon making anti-people decisions, he alleged. Gupta said that a delegation of the BJP had met the Lieutenant-Governor and requested that in the categories E, F, G, H inhabited by the common man, the circle rates should be reduced. It seems the Delhi government has emptied the treasury in the Commonwealth Games and now Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit is exploiting the people by imposing new economic burdens, Vijender Gupta alleged. The government has not been able to provide basic amenities to the people living in F to H categories in its 12-year rule. It would be unjust to increase the circle rates in these colonies. Forty-nine per cent citizens do not have their own houses due to high rate of land. He said that the Lieunant-Governor had suggested the government to reduce the circle rates from E to H colonies. |
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Delhi plans new anti-begging law
New Delhi, November 7 The government had launched a drive during the Commonwealth Games against begging and arrested hundreds of beggars. However, they can still be seen at many places. Even young boys are seen begging on traffic signals. The reason behind the failure to stop begging is the outdated law (Bombay) Prevention of Begging Act, 1959. This law authorizes the police to detain anyone found begging on streets, said an official of the social welfare department. Social welfare minister Mangat Ram Singhal said the beggars are caught and produced before the court. Later, they are kept in the home for the poor. They are given training of some trade for a few months. However, new beggars soon come from other states. A senior official said that it needs some strict law to prevent begging in the Capital. According to an estimate, there are around 60,000 beggars in the Capital. Of them, 30 per cent are below 18 years of age. Around 69.94 per cent are men and 30.06 per cent women.
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Industrial body plans expo in December
Noida, November 7 The announcement about the fair was made today by the secretary of Indian Industries Association’s Noida chapter, Manjula Mishra. "Ashwani Mahendru is the chairman of the organising committee of the expo. Twenty stall have been booked today itself," Mishra said. "Noida Expo is aimed to provide business opportunities and global connections to the members. This is the first expo being held by IIA at Noida. It will be an annual feature now. Apart from 200 Indian exhibitors, this year, we expect participation of Latin America exhibitors also," said Mishra. "Some of the products to be exhibited by the participating industries are automobile components, IT service providers, dies and moulds, packaging products, machinery, handloom handicrafts, sports goods and toys," Mishra added.
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Chilly week ahead
New Delhi, November 7 The maximum and minimum temperatures were recorded at 31.1 degree, a notch above average, and 16.4 degrees, three notches above average, respectively. The rise in mercury is due to the Divali fumes, the weatherman said. However, the temperatures are expected to recede below average on Monday. "There will be shallow fog early in the morning tomorrow (Monday) and the afternoon will be warm and clear. The evening will be chilly as the temperatures may reduce below the normal," an India Meteorological Department official said. "The week ahead will be colder as the temperatures will start dipping again," he added. The humidity levels oscillated between a high of 96 per cent and a low of 45 per cent.
— IANS |
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In a perfect ringing down of the curtain to the festive season, Bhai Dooj was celebrated across the city today.
Barack Obama has often underlined the importance of education while describing his phenomenal journey from a humble and underprivileged black background to the world's most powerful job.
It was this message on the critical role of education which Obama gave to 14 starry-eyed children who met him and his wife Michelle Obama at Humayun's Tomb today.
President Obama's visit to India is helping increase the sale of books by Obama across the Capital over the past two days. Even as Obama and his team meet up with the who's who of the Indian political establishment, Delhiites are rushing to book stores to get hold of the latest books written by Obama and other books written on his presidency.
She has repeatedly been on the list of the world's best dressed people and is known for her populist style, but First Lady Michelle Obama's wardrobe during her Indian visit so far lacks the Indian touch and the sparkle of
colours, experts say. The 46-year-old landed in Mumbai on Saturday with her husband President Barack Obama as he began a four-day visit.
Initially, dressed in a formal steel grey buttoned top and matching skirt,
Michelle followed this up with a basic striped greenish top teamed up with a
high-waist skirt during her visit to the Mumbai University.
