Parliament decks up for Obama visit

Stress on showcasing tradition, with a lot of pomp

US President Barack Obama’s visit to Parliament on November 8 evening will be a tryst with traditional Indian culture. From the Golden Book (the visitor’s book to the clothes of the support staff, Indian tradition and culture will be on view. Parliament is decking up for the 45-minute visit.

Officials in the Speaker’s Office told Business Standard the Golden Book will have an elegant khadi cover to highlight the connection with Mahatma Gandhi. “The design of the cover is being worked out. The aim is to promote khadi and an integral part of Gandhi’s India to the US president, who is also known to be an admirer of the Mahatma,” said a source. Speaker Meira Kumar has got protocol clearance to present a souvenir to the US first couple. Although the search for the perfect gift is still on, it is to be something that can adorn the Oval office – possibly a piece of traditional Indian art.

The Parliament building, designed by British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker and built by 1927, is getting a makeover. The support staff, including the House Marshals — who will guide the US president, along with the Lok Sabha Speaker and Rajya Sabha Chairman and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, to the Central Hall — will wear new clothes specially for that day. The Speaker has sought suggestions from fashion designers to ensure cultural authenticity. But the US president may be deprived of a cup of fine Indian tea when he visits, because of protocol prohibitions. Parliament wanted to host a tea party in honour of the US president but this was turned down by the foreign office, for protocol reasons.

Central Hall had been closed for two weeks for renovation and got a fresh coat of paint. The fountain in the inner courtyard has been rebuilt and new blue-coloured tiles installed. The horticulture wing of Parliament is also working overtime on new flower arrangements inside Central Hall, aimed to show a “greener and brighter” Parliament.

All former Prime Ministers, foreign ambassadors and high commissioners and former Speakers have been invited to attend the event, apart from the current Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members. The invitation letters have already been sent to the guests and members. Members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, a non-government initiative to promote relations between various Parliaments of the world, are also invited. But no chief minister or governor will be able to attend, as there will be limited seating arrangements.

Although there will be no formal schedule for an interaction between Obama and Indian MPs, the latter will get an opportunity to informally meet the President in the Central Hall itself, just as they met US President Bill Clinton a decade earlier.