Plans laid for ‘great Indian Road Show’

THE public reception for US

President Donald Trump in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state of Gujarat will include an exhibition of Mahatma Gandhi’s life and 28 snippets from India’s rich culture in a manner “unparalleled” in history.

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said the highlight of the programme in Ahmedabad would be the exhibition of India’s rich and diverse culture and heritage.

The trip, tomorrow and Tuesday, will be Trump’s first state visit to India.

It is also a first standalone visit by a US President to India.

Trump’s visit will be brief, but intense, with all essential elements of a state visit squeezed into 36 hours. The two day visit includes New

Delhi, Ahmedabad and Agra.

From the moment of Trump and First Lady Melania’s arrival at the airport tomorrow, the delegates will be treated to a display of famed Indian hospitality and India’s unity in diversity, Shringla said.

In his honour, an event which has been named “Namaste Trump”, will be held at the newly reconstructed, largest cricket stadium in the world in Motera.

The event will be similar to the “Howdy Modi” event hosted by the Indian-american community for Modi in Houston last year.

In what is being billed the great “Indian Road Show”, 28 stages representing various parts of the country are being set up along Trump’s route from the airport to the stadium in Ahmedabad.

The show will depict different events in the life of Mahatma Gandhi.

Tens of thousands of people, including artists showcasing their art from different states and Union Territories, are expected to greet Trump along the way.

From Ahmedabad, Trump and his wife will fly to Agra where they will spend an hour at India’s iconic Taj Mahal before the sunset.

On Tuesday, the US president and the first lady will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

This will be followed by a visit to Rajghat where the couple will pay respects at the samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi.