New Delhi, Jan 25 (IANS) US President Barack Obama's India visit began Sunday with a ceremonial red carpet welcome at the magnificent Rashtrapati Bhavan. The US president, who is the chief guest at India's 66th Republic Day parade, said it is a great honour to be back in India.
“It's a great honour to be back in India. I am grateful for the extraordinary hospitality," Obama told the media in the forecourt of a decked up presidential palace.
Obama, who arrived nearly 15 minutes later than his scheduled time, was escorted by Wing Commander Puja Thakur as he inspected the tri-service guard of honour. This is the first time that a woman officer has led the guard of honour.
President's Bodyguard's mounted troops wearing bright red and blue turbans earlier escorted the US presidential motorcade that rolled in at 12.15 p.m. through the iron gates of the impressive red sandstone presidential palace.
The 21-gun salute sounded as horses escorted The Beast - carrying the US president - down the path leading to the forecourt.
Obama was received by President Pranab Mukherjee dressed in a black bandghala suit and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had changed into a pinstriped black bandhgala suit from his morning attire of light cream-coloured kurta pyjama with beige Nehru jacket paired with a red shawl.
The US president chatted and laughed with Mukherjee and Modi before proceeding to a podium for the ceremonial welcome with the US and Indian flags fluttering in the cold winter morning.
Obama, who is the first US president to be chief guest at India's Republic Day parade, walked along the red carpet to stand on the podium, covered by a red canvas top with gold trim.
The military band stretched in ranks before him as the national anthems of India and the US were played.
He then inspected the tri-service guard of honour.
Obama was introduced to union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Manohar Parrikar, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, Venkaiah Naidu, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Nejeeb Jung, and Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha. Also present were Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh and Indian Ambassador to the US S. Jaishanker.
Once again Obama exchanged pleasantries and warmly shook hands with Mukherjee and Modi.
He folded his hands together to say 'Namaste', the traditional Indian way of greeting, as he left for Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi.
CUET Exam Guidelines: CUET Phase-2 exam will start tomorrow, know the important guidelines
CUET Exam Guidelines: Common University Entrance Test, Phase-2 examination of UG/CUET UG 2022 will be started tomorrow, Thursday, August 04, 2022. CUET has emerged as a single window platform for
Maha Kumbh: 'Mahakumbh is a symbol of India's timeless spiritual heritage, a celebration of faith and harmony', PM Modi said
A large number of devotees are taking a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam in Sangam city Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. The 45-day Maha Kumbh 2025 has started today with Paush Purnima on January 13.
TMC spokesperson Saket Gokhale arrested by Gujarat police, accused of spreading rumors by tweeting on Morbi accident
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has claimed that the Gujarat Police has arrested TMC national spokesperson Saket Gokhale for tweeting about the Morbi bridge accident.
Attorney general's office comes under RTI: Delhi HC
New Delhi, March 10 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Tuesday held that the office of the Attorney General of India carries out public function and it comes within the ambit of the Right To
Cousin trolled for supporting Palash Muchhal, users said – to a cheater…
Palash Muchhal and Smriti Mandhana's wedding was recently postponed. Subsequently, an alleged chat surfaced, accusing Palash of cheating on her. The music composer's cousin supported the music
Team India will not go to Pakistan: Jai Shah said - Asia Cup to be held in PAK in 2023 will be in some other country
Team India will not go to Pakistan to play Asia Cup. This has been confirmed by the President of the Asia Cricket Council (ACC), Jay Shah. He said that the 2023 Asia Cup will be played in a neutral
Pune's Poonawala bets 3300 crore rupees on Oxford's Corona vaccine, Indian company Serum has vaccinated half of the world's children
Geoffrey Gitelman. Indian businessman Adar Poonawala has made big bets on the creation of the Coronavirus vaccine. Serum Institute, the world's largest vaccine manufacturer in Pune, is going to
Interest Rate: Interest increased up to 0.65% on deposits of BOB and IDBI, the new rate applicable from December 26
IDBI Bank and Bank of Baroda have increased the interest on deposits. The new rates for both are applicable from 26 December. Bank of Baroda said it has increased interest by up to 0.65% on retail
Draupadi Murmu: 'Yoga brought me out of mental and physical pain', said President Murmu in Odisha
President Draupadi Murmu arrived in Bhubaneswar on Friday on her two-day visit to Odisha, during which she attended the second convocation ceremony of Rama Devi Women's University after offering
Jio's network down: Problems in Jio's network from 9.30 am, call-internet users upset; no comment from company
Reliance Jio network is down. There are problems regarding the network since around 9 am on Wednesday, which have not been corrected yet. Due to this thousands of Jio customers are getting upset.
