Obamas attend President's 'At Home'

New Delhi, January 26

President Pranab Mukherjee played host to a traditional and annual Republic Day 'At Home' reception for dignitaries and the general public on the lawns of Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday.

Among the guests was US President Barack Obama, US First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice-President Hamid Ansari and his wife, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former prime minister Manmohan Singh and several Union Cabinet Ministers.

US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama were welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Indian dignitaries.

The President's Bodyguards escorted President Pranab Mukherjee to the dais, following which the National Anthem was played. Thereafter, he mingled with the chief guest for the Republic Day parade, President Obama, and others.

Later, Presidents Mukherjee and Obama, US First Lady Michelle Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi met and shared pleasantries with dignitaries present at the event.

While President Mukherjee and Prime Minister Modi mingled with the general public, the Obamas' did not, choosing to remain in the VVIP enclosure.

The ‘At Home' event concluded after about 45-minutes when President Mukherjee left the venue.

As per normal practice, the guests were offered a variety of delicacies, besides tea and coffee at the event.

Earlier in the day, India's military prowess and cultural diversity was showcased on the occasion of the nation's 66th Republic Day.

At the nation's borders, paramilitaries exchanged sweets with their neighbouring counterparts. ANI