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Obama attends president's banquet, praises Modi's work ethic
New Delhi, Jan 25
US President Barack Obama
Sunday praised Narendra Modi for his "legendary work ethic", and
described him as tough and stylish. He praised the Indian prime
minister's sartorial elegance and said he was also thinking of wearing a
"Modi kurta".
Speaking at the dinner banquet hosted by President
Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Obama marvelled at how Modi,
the son of a tea vendor, became prime minister of the world's largest
democracy.
"Here this evening, we think back to all these years
ago... your (Modi's) father selling tea at the train stations, your
mother working at other's families homes to support and earn. Tonight,
their son welcomes us as the prime minister of the world's largest
democracy," Obama said.
Visibly impressed with Modi's work style,
Obama said: "We all know about the prime minister's legendary work
ethic. He was explaining to me today how he only needed three hours'
sleep which made me feel bad. I thought I was doing okay with five."
"What I didn't know until now is that he once survived an attack by a crocodile. So he is tough," he said.
Praising
Modi for his "style" and sartorial elegance, Obama said "tonight, I was
thinking about wearing a Modi kurta myself" to smiles around.
President
Pranab Mukherjee, in his banquet speech, said the presence of Obama at
the Republic Day parade will demonstrate to the world the growing ties
of friendship and trust that bind the two democracies closely.
The
president said Obama had made history thrice - by becoming the first US
president to be chief guest at the Republic Day, the first US president
to visit India twice while in office, and by holding a second
summit-level meeting with the prime minister in the shortest-ever time
span of four months.
"These milestones make this a truly
historical visit. While I am proud that we are creating history
together, I am even more pleased that we are creating a brighter future
together - for our two countries and the world," he said.
The event was graced by a galaxy of personalities from various fields, including politics, business and art.
Mukherjee,
Obama and his wife Michelle met the invitees which included former
prime minster Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and BJP
leader L.K. Advani.
Prime Minister Modi was among the first to greet Obama and his wife. Ministers in the Modi cabinet were also present.
Obama had a word with many of guests. One of them wrapped a shawl around his shoulders.
Michelle, who was attired in a floral printed dress, also exchanged pleasantries with the guests.
Business leaders, including Ratan Tata and Mukesh Ambani, were among those present.
The
dinner had both non-vegetarian and vegetarian dishes. The main course
included mustard fish curry, chicken korma, gushtaba, roast leg of lamb,
mutton rogan josh (all non vegetarian dishes) and kadhi pakori, dal
raisina, achari paneer, chhole, haak ka saag, chaunka matar and bedmi
aloo (all vegetarian dishes).
The menu included vegetarian and
non-vegetarian tandoori platters, curd, saffron rice, papad, soup and a
variety of Indian bread.
The desserts included malpua with rabri, date steam pudding and cut pudding.
Tea, coffee and kahwa were among the beverages served in the dinner, during which various musical scores were also played.