ITC Hotel gets ready to host Obama

Closed for renovation, DumPukht, the famous Indian cuisine restaurant at Maurya Sheraton here, will be ready just in time for the high-profile visit of Barack Obama and his wife, who will stay at the ITC hotel that is engaged in extensive preparations for hosting the US President.

Besides working on various delicacies for the Obamas, who will have a two-day stay here, the hotel is also preparing to treat them with traditional Indian therapies at their exotic spa.

"The spa managers at kaya kalp are working on this," an official said.

ITC Maurya, among other things, is known for its restaurants, Bukhara, Dakshin and DumPukht, all famous for their authentic Indian cuisine.

Bukhara, in fact has earlier hosted President Bill Clinton and also offered a 'Hillary Platter' to the Secretary of State.

This time around, the 'Obama Platter', is expected to have fish on it, besides 'murgh khurchan', among other things, sources said.

One of the reasons why the hotel is a favourite destination of heads of states and other high profile dignitaries is its three accommodation wings which make it more secure.

Given the fact that all the three wings have their own elevators, receptions and kitchens makes it difficult to guess where the dignitary is actually staying, officials say.

On his arrival from Mumbai on November 7, Obama will be accorded a traditional Indian reception at the hotel complete with an 'aarti' and 'tilak'.

The hotel, in fact, is preparing to make the stay of Obama, the third US president in 10 years to stay at the hotel, a complete Indian experience.

The hotel, which is built in the shape of a 'Buddhist stupa', has an ambience that reflects the spirit of the country.

The hotel receptions are adorned with the paintings of M F Hussain and works of Krishan Khanna.

Clinton in 2000, and George W Bush in 2006, had both been hosted by the same hotel.

"The protocol for hosting heads of states is the same. It is up to the visiting dignitary to make his or her visit different," a source said, recalling how Clinton had broken off the security cordon several times, and had actually made his way into the kitchen of the Bukhara restaurant.