(Image source from: Salman Khan)
Come 26th May and the graveled forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan will be abuzz with action. Massive and unprecedented arrangements are being made for the swearing-in ceremony of the 15th Prime Minister of India with a whopping 4000 guests expected to grace the occasion.
Besides the head of the state of the seven SAARC nations — Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, Nepal Pm Sushil Korala, Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, and Mauritius PM Navin Ramgoolam, the gala will be graced by 777 MPs of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, former presidents Pratibha Patil and APJ Abdul Kalam, Manmohan Singh and some members of his cabinet, key members of BJP and Sangh parivaar and Modi's kin.
But the massive guest list just don't end there. Several showbiz bigwigs, Bollywood celebrities and sports personalities like Lata Mangeshkar, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Salman Khan, Salim Khan, Sachin Tendulkar have been extended the invitation for the big event.
Also in attendance would be tea-seller Kiran Mahida and boatman Veer Bhadra Nishad, this year's Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan awardees and all BJP CM's.
The high tea menu for the VVIPs would include Gujarati dhokla, kewbabs, sandwiches, imarti, kachauri, wafers, biscuits, cold drinks, tea and patties. Although the original plan was to keep the menu largely vegetarian as per the preferences of the PM-designate, some non-vegetarian items have been included in the menu now owing to foreign dignitaries.
Most of the food will be prepared in the Rashtrapati Bhawan kitchen with some help from staff of the India Tourism Development Corporation and Hyderabad House
Multi-layered security ring has been formed around the Raisina Hill. All offices in the vicinity will be shit five hours prior to the swearing-in ceremony. IAF will put up air-defense system to secure the skies. Snipers will be deployed in the high-rises around the area. Besides mobile teams, anti aircraft guns and sharp shooters and commandos will be placed at all the key locations.
AW: Suchorita Choudhury
