I've never seen a reception so grand: Bush

Indian Express ^ | 3/2/06 | PTI

[voletti]

New Delhi, March 2: US President George W Bush was on Thursday accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

President A P J Abdul Kalam warmly welcomed Bush at the forecourt of the historic Rashtrapati Bhawan, where Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his cabinet colleagues were also present.

The US President took salute from the inter-services guard of honour with anthems of India and America being played in the background.

Bush arrived on Wednesday on a three-day visit.

Later talking to reporters, an elated Bush said, "I have been to many capitals around the world. I have never seen a reception as well organised and as grand as the reception we just received."

"It was breathtaking. And the horses that led us in, added to the great elegance of the welcoming ceremony. It is an honour to be here. I have never been to India before.

"I have been looking forward to this trip for a long time. I am looking forward to work with the President and Prime minister to foster a very important relationship," he said.

Asked how confident was he about clinching a nuclear deal with India, he said, "We have a press conference scheduled later."

[MNJohnnie]

Excellent. A closer US-India relationship offers excellent Strategic opportunities for the USA on a number of fronts. India stands as a Free Democratic Capitalist bulkhead against both China and the M.E.

[Caipirabob]

And the food is yummy, too.

[MinuteGal]

For those of us who adore pomp and circumstances, I hope someone finds some photos to post so we can live vicariously, LOL.

There are so many beautiful and historical things connected with India. Its ceremonies, entertainments and imposing buildings and palaces embellished with intricate art from the maharajah years and through the colonial empire years is something to behold.

And what colorful, snappy uniforms the Indian military wears for ceremonial affairs. And horses, yet. Maybe even elephants!

Dang, I wish I was there with the Prez!

I don't like curry, though.

Leni

[BigBobber]

The meal I visualize is the one Indiana Jones had in the Maharajah's castle: Live snakes, eyeball soup and warm monkey brains.

[Cecily]

India has most of the beautiful tigers too, plus huge cobras. My brother got to visit India when he was in the Air Force, and I hope to see the sights there someday.

[sockmonkey]

For those of us who adore pomp and circumstances, I hope someone finds some photos to post so we can live vicariously, LOL.

I don't want to see any photos. I am quite enjoying my "mind's eye" version-it's a Bollywood Style musical production. Lots of bright colors, singing, dancing, and the perfunctory fabric waving..

[tet68]

There's no such thing as religion when talking about
..........................good curry.

I always wanted to go to the Raffles Hotel in Singapore
on saturday they have a curry buffet that is reputed to
be awesome in it's magnificence!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

My dad was stationed in India as a pilot in the China-Burma-India Campaign and fell in love with good curry.
Too bad India spent so many years divorced from the West, in the orbit of the Soviets.

[LoneConservative]

Nahh. Mrs. LC is Anglo-Indian. Her Dad is from Bangalore, her Mom is from Manchester, England. In the past 5 years, I've gotten to love Chicken Tikka Masala, Samosas, dosas, Bhuna, Vindaloo, etc. If you're a beer drinker, try Taj Mahal or Kingfisher.

[MNJohnnie]

You should of seen the blue silk dress Condi Rice was wearing. YUM YUM!

[Caipirabob]

The meal I visualize is the one Indiana Jones had in the Maharajah's castle: Live snakes, eyeball soup and warm monkey brains.

Oh, you mean the Indian verson of "Atkins"...

[MNJohnnie]

Condi Rice Pic please! The dress was gorgous.

[SIDENET]

MMMM...Indian food. Now I'm hungry.

[geopyg]

"Bollywood Style"

Okay - the thread about Laura Bush (Queen of Amrica) had some Indian reporter talk about "Bollywood" actors. I figured it was a misstype of Hollywood. But now you mention it - I'm guessing I was wrong?

A vague memory is coming about India's film-making district?

[sockmonkey]

I order Bollywood Genre films from Netflix--They have tragic love stories, happy endings, mobsters, and it's all woven together with musical numbers, and sappy/crappy lyrics.

My favorite "faux Bollywood" movie is Bride and Prejudice, a Jane Austen knockoff.

[Cecily]

Laura should have worn something more colorful for India. They both look great, though.

[voletti]

Yup.
From what I recall, the B in bollywood comes from 'Bombay' - India's movie district.
They make some 600 movies a year (yup, 600 is no typo. Seems everything about India is like an order of magnitude messed up).

[MNJohnnie]

How can the men of America be so dumb. What an utter babe. If that is a permissible thing to say about the Secretary of State. :-)

[Fester Chugabrew]

ou-boump