FRENCH PRESIDENT AND WIFE VISIT ‘MONUMENT OF LOVE’

AGRA: French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron visited the Taj Mahal on Sunday after being accorded a traditional welcome at Shilpgram near the monument. (pic).

The Taj Mahal was closed for public viewing earlier than the scheduled time on Sunday and security measures were tightened all around the monument.

The French guests arrived at the Kheria technical airport in a special plane. They were welcomed by deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma. After that they were accorded a traditional welcome by Agra mayor Naveen Jain at Shilpgram.

The French couple along with members of their delegation travelled in a golf cart (a non-polluting vehicle) and entered the Taj Mahal through the eastern gate. Dressed in white shirt, black trousers and tie, he took interest in the history and architecture of Taj Mahal built in the 17th century. The guests viewed the Taj Mahal at sunset and left for Delhi later in the evening. “French President Emmanuel Macron, accompanied by his wife, appeared cheerful and evinced interest in various aspects of the monument. He stayed here for about an hour and a half and went inside main mausoleum to view the graves of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal,” informed Ankit Dev, conservation assistant at Taj Mahal for ASI. Earlier, a beehive at Royal Gate of Taj Mahal sent the officials in a tizzy ahead of the VVIP visit. The beehive was removed just in time before the Taj Mahal was closed for public viewing.

CM inspects Mirzapur village ahead of ModiMacron visit

VARANASI: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday inspected Dadar Kala village in Mirzapur where French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to inaugurate a solar power plant on Monday. According to official protocol, President Macron and PM Narendra Modi will spend about 20 minutes at the venue.

Meanwhile, a Ghazipur-based craftsman has painted Eiffel Tower on a jute wall hanging for the French President. He will show his creation to the VVIP visitors at the Trade Facilitation Centre.