The Rashtrapati Bhavan was looking majestic, the serpent fountains were working, the big urns on the roof were full of water cascading over, though one was clearly overflowing, the dignitaries were arriving in their hundreds and being led, this time, to the wonderful Moghul gardens.
The clouds overhead were threatening, but the rain held off and the buglers sounded the arrival of the new president of India, Pranab Mukherjee from the roof top, while other dignitaries took their place under two maroon canopies. But in a move designed to give his guards a headache the new President listened to the national anthem and then headed straight for the crowds and walked happily among the invitees.Smiling and with his hands in a namaste, I namasted back and on he went. He is tiny, but resolute and clearly wants to do things a little differently.
Sonia Gandhi, Meira Kumar, the leader of the House and other officials sat under the canopies and kept their respective distance.
What I take away from this day was his openness and the exquisite carpet made exclusively of flowers that lay on the grass- a work of art to say the least. No cameras allowed so you will have to imagine its yellow, orange and white splendour woven into patterns, replete with white tassles.
Pictures from a previous visit.
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