Mumbai: Breaking away from tradition, the Rashtrapati Bhavan is all set to host over 250 guests for a banquet in honour of visiting US President Barack Obama.
Normally not more than 100 guests are invited to banquets at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The first family of the United States arrived on Sunday for a three-day state visit to New Delhi on January 25. President Barack Obama is the Chief Guest for the 65th Republic Day celebrations this year.
Read: After grand reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Barack Obama pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat
The menu consists of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare in addition to traditional desserts.
The items expected to feature in the menu are Galauti Kebab, Soufiyans fish tikka, chicken malai tikka, stir fried broccolli, paneer malai tikka, vegetable kababs, mustard fish curry, mutton rogan josh, chicken korma, dal raisina, vegetable hakka, kadhi pakora, chhole, papad, pulao, tandoori roti and naan, malpua and rabdi.
During his last visit in 2010, Mr. Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were hosted at a banquet in the verdant Mughal Gardens of Rashtrapati Bhavan. The chefs had wowed them with achari fish tikka, chicken shami kebab, palak papri chaat, pista murgh and an assortment of breads and desserts, including pineapple halwa (pudding) and puran poli (a sweet dish).
President Obama had earlier in December complained of a sore throat, and after examination, the President's doctor had declared that he was suffering from acid reflux. Acid reflux is a condition in which the stomach contents flow back up from the stomach into the esophagus, causing such symptoms as heartburn and sore throat. However, his physician hadn't however advised him off any specific type of food. Whether the President tastes the delicacies prepared for him needs to be seen. However, his favourite vegetable brocooli does make an appearance in the banquet menu.
The venue for the ceremonial dinner being hosted by President Pranab Mukherjee will be the newly opened Ceremonial Hall.
For lunch, which is hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the menu is an all vegetarian fare. The menu includes Gujarati delicacies like Shatwar ka Shorba, Paneer lababdar, Kela methi nu shaak, and has desserts like gajar ka halwa and gulab jamuns.
The U.S. President and the First Lady will also be treated to a 25-minute cultural programme, which will showcase the traditional dance forms of India.
Read: With a hug and pat on the back, Narendra Modi welcomes Barack Obama
Top political leaders, industrialists and prominent citizens are expected to be on the guest list for the banquet at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Besides President Obama and his wife Michelle Obama, his entire delegation is expected to be in attendance for the banquet.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior ministers of his cabinet, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Cabinet secretary, Foreign Secretary and top diplomats from both India and the US are expected to attend the banquet.
The three service chiefs are expected to be present. Former prime ministers, including Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda, and former presidents like APJ Abdul Kalam and Pratibha Patil have been invited. The Lok Sabha Speaker, Leaders of the opposition in Parliament, and the Chief Justice of India are also among the invitees.
Among those who have confirmed their presence include Nobel awardee Kailash Satyarthi, Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan and environmentalist R K Pachauri. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former PM Manmohan Singh, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan will be present as will be chief ministers of Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje Scindia, UP CM Akhilesh Yadav and Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis.
Members of the US-India Business Council are expected to be present at the banquet. Corporate India is likely to be represented by Mukesh Ambani, Anil Ambani, Anand Mahindra, Sunil Bharti Mittal and Deepak Parekh.
Ratan Tata, Gautam Adani, Mukesh and Anil Ambani, N R Narayan Murthy, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chanda Kochar, Deepak Parekh, Shashi Ruia, Hari Bharatiya and Pratap Reddy are some of the corporate leaders who have been invited for the do.
Read: President Obama and PM Modi aim high on India trip
The guest list also includes winners of the Padma awards, India's highest civilian honour.
Reports suggest Sania Mirza, Amitabh Bachchan, Amartya Sen and Sachin Tendulkar have been invited.
Tonight’s banquet for US president Barack Obama is expected to be among the biggest to be organized at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
