Namaste Trump, grand welcome awaits

Sandeep Dikshit

Tribune News Service

Ahmedabad, February 23

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the lead in welcoming US President Donald Trump who arrives here a little before noon on Monday — a rare standalone visit to India that will also include Agra and New Delhi.

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“India looks forward to welcoming @POTUS. It is an honour that he will be with us tomorrow, starting with the historic programme in Ahmedabad,’’ PM Modi posted on Twitter.

In Ahmedabad, expectations and controversy mingled as the city spruced itself up for a third visit by a world leader in five years. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japan President Shinzo Abe have visited the city too.

But preparations for Trump’s visit have an extra flavour, from hard-to-miss billboards that stand cheek by jowl on all major arteries to the deployment of JCBs and tractors for clearing garbage and dredgers for the Sabarmati. Convoys of ministers and officials, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, streamed to the venues for last-minute checks and corrections.

On arrival at the Ahmedabad airport, Trump will make straight for Sabarmati Ashram whose inclusion was doubtful till the Ministry of External Affairs released the itinerary on Sunday afternoon. While green curtains had kept the slums away from the gaze of the Chinese President, it is not known whether a similar arrangement will be ensured for the US President for whom a wall has been built to separate a settlement for the economically weak from the route to the cricket stadium.

A controversy has already arisen over the billboards spelling the city as ‘Amdavad’ which people say is a precursor to renaming it ‘Karnavati.’ Trump will reach the venue of the rally at the newly built Motera cricket stadium after being serenaded along the route by artistes and floats, depicting India’s diversity. While the programme has been kept under the wraps, portions have leaked, including plans for a rousing medley of songs by a popular artist aimed at enthusing Trump to break into a dance.

The US President will then leave for Agra, arriving at just before 5 pm to take in the view of the Taj Mahal silhouetted against a setting sun. As Supreme Court orders do not allow cars to be drive down to the Taj, alternative arrangements for Trump remain to be seen. While PM Modi will accompany Trump to his two venues in Ahmedabad, he will not be around at the Taj as was earlier rumoured.

Trump arrives in Delhi around 8 pm to gear up for the business end of his visit that will begin on Tuesday with a guard of honour and a visit to Raj Ghat. Trump will be closeted with PM Modi for over an hour after which both leaders will appear before the media to exchange agreements and make written statements. Trump will have a meeting with President Ram Nath Kovind and skip a planned banquet to leave for the US at 10 pm.

Gujarat’s Khaman on menu

Ahmedabad: Famous Gujarati delicacy ‘khaman’ has made its way to the menu of high tea to be offered to US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania at Sabarmati Ashram. The VVIPs will also be offered broccoli, corn samosa, apple pie, kaju katli and a variety of teas, said chef Suresh Khanna of Fortune Landmark Hotel. PTI

Fancy suite at Maurya

New Delhi: With a food testing laboratory, elaborate security systems, uber luxurious amenities such as an ornate private drawing room and spa and floor butlers, the mansion-like Grand Presidential Suite of the ITC Maurya here that has played host to a number of heads of states is all set to welcome US President Donald Trump on Monday. Nation

Entry gate collapses

Ahmedabad: A day before US President Donald Trump’s visit to Ahmedabad, a makeshift VVIP entry gate erected outside the newly-built cricket stadium in Motera area here collapsed due to gusty winds on Sunday morning, an official said. After sometime, a portion of another makeshift gate structure at the stadium’s main entrance also collapsed due to the windy weather, another official said. PTI