Replies

Subject: Out of town pool report #3 — Raj Ghat

Motorcade was rolling from the presidential palace at 10:17 a.m. and, after a short ride down completely empty streets, arrived at 10:31 at Raj Ghat, the open-air memorial where Gandhi was cremated after being assassinated in 1948.

Pool, after ditching our shoes, scurried into place to watch POTUS and FLOTUS who appeared at 10:40 and walked toward the center of a grassy, stone wall-enclosed garden, where a glass enclosed flame is lit at the memorial, which is draped with orange and yellow marigolds. Indian music played on a loudspeaker as crows cawed loudly overhead.

POTUS and FLOTUS, who also shed their shoes and walked in socks — black and white, respectively — followed behind a man and woman carrying a large white wreath, which was placed in front of the memorial. They then stood over it, touching the wreath and standing quietly for 20 seconds or so. Then they moved around, and scattered five handfuls of pink rose petals (pic below courtesy of AP’s Jonathan Lemire) on the black marble memorial.

Pool was directed back to the front gates around 10:42, past a guest book — we were a good distance away when he came back to it a moment later, sat down and signed it.

At 10:50, POTUS and FLOTUS walked over to a plot behind the front wall and took part in a tree planting ceremony that was very brief (did not see any trees being planted).

Pool now loaded back into vans, rolling shortly to Hyderabad House.