Capital awaits Obama

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Capital’s youth vouched for his election to the Oval Office and lauded his Nobel medallion, and now, they can’t wait to catch a glimpse of US President Barack Hussein Obama. He will set foot on Indian soil on November 6 and arrives in the capital the next day. Elaborate preparations are on for the visit and Delhiites are keenly following his itinerary. His proposed stay at the Maurya Sheraton and an approximate expense of `15 lakhs every hour has simply heightened the anticipation around his visit.
The tentative itinerary will have Obama calling on the PM at Hyderabad House and also visit Raj Ghat, a ritual among visiting dignitaries. An unprecedented multi-tier security cover awaits him here. Places like Dilli Haat where it’s speculated that his wife, Michelle will drop by, is looking forward to it. Manik Arora, handicraft dealer, avers, “Like other visiting first ladies, Michelle too has plans to visit the handicraft hub and have a look at the local artefacts.”
Youngsters are also looking forward to Obama’s crucial address to the joint session of Parliament. Heroka Dolma, M.A. student of JNU, informs, “His speech at the joint session of Parliament is much awaited and many expect it to be a historical one. As Obama is well-read and informed about India it certainly will be better than George W. Bush’s address.”
And Abhishek Paul, a student, adds that he was amazed to hear that ahead of Obama’s visit, 18 planes carrying his ‘defence equipment’ would come to India. “I have anxiously waited for more news about his trip. It would be really interesting to see if they get his limo here,” he adds.
The hotel where his entourage will be lodged will be a virtual fortress and the Ridge area overlooking the hotel will be lit for security reasons.
According to Obama’s itinerary, Humayun’s Tomb prevailed over other places of historical interest in the capital. Talking about the choice of the tomb over other regal pieces of architecture in the capital, Professor A.G.K. Menon, convenor of the Delhi chapter of Indian Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), says, “Humayun’s Tomb has been well conserved. It’s the most complete Mughal monument. The Red Fort has been added, appended and changed by the British while Qutab Minar has been ravaged. Although the gardens have been redone, the edifice is the finest example of Mughal architecture.”