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November 06, 2010
Coconuts Removed From Trees In Preparation For Barack Obama's India Trip
Coconuts removed from trees in preparation for Barack Obama's India trip
Mr Obama will arrive in India on Saturday for the first leg of an Asian tour.
But as well as the usual security measures that come with welcoming a a visiting dignitary, Indian authorities have decided to go one step further, by removing all natural threats to the president as well. All coconuts around the city's Gandhi museum, one of Mr Obama's stops in the city, are being taken down.
Mani Bhavan, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his freedom struggle against the British, is among five places the US president is visiting in Mumbai.
"We told the authorities to remove the dry coconuts from trees near the building. Why take a chance?" Mani Bhavan's executive secretary, Meghshyam Ajgaonkar, told the BBC. Obama will arrive in India on Saturday for the first leg of an Asian tour.
But as well as the usual security measures that come with welcoming a a visiting dignitary, Indian authorities have decided to go one step further, by removing all natural threats to the president as well. Last week American security officers inspected Mani Bhavan and its surroundings along with other places the president is likely to visit.
Every year in India people are injured or even killed by falling coconuts.
Mr Obama, still smarting from heavy losses in the midterm elections, will visit India, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan and China on the 10-day tour
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Live Coverage - Obama in Mumbai
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Taj Hotel caters to Obama's sweet tooth
Mumbai: The management at Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is leaving no stone unturned to make US President Barack Obama's stay in the city 'sweet' and special.
Sources said chefs have been working for almost 24 hours to prepare an exclusive chocolate box for the president and his entourage. Interestingly, the box itself will be made of chocolate.
The chefs want to ensure the president has the choicest assortment of desserts in his suite.
"The chefs are working day and night to complete preparations before the president arrives in the hotel today.
The hotel is doing everything possible to give him a warm welcome," said the source on condition of anonymity.
"The boxes will be kept in all the VIP rooms and to give a distinct touch to the president's chocolate box, it will be embellished with the picture of the US national flag," he said.
The source said the boxes would not melt, as the entire hotel was centrally air-conditioned.
BUFFET FOR THE FLEET
About 3,000 people are supposed to join the president. The source revealed that all the 506 rooms have been booked. "Though the president will be eating food cooked by his own chef, the hotel is preparing Indian, continental, and Chinese buffet for the fleet."
SPECIAL BAR
A list of imported liquor has been included in the bar to give enough variety for the guests to choose from. The bar has been stocked with Glenfiddich 40-Year-Old Rare Collection and Dom Perignon Rose Champagne from France. "Wine, whisky and champagne will be stocked in the bar. The bar will not only cater to Obama's demands, but also to those of his wife Michelle.
SECURITY AT TAJ
Employees have been issued hotel and police entry pass to enter the area. "Nobody will be allowed in the area without police pass, whereas no staff will be given entry without the hotel pass. The management has instructed the staff not to loiter in the lobby when the president is in the hotel. No staff will be allowed to go out of the hotel during working hours," said the source.
MORE CARS BOOKED
More cars have been booked for the US fleet. "Earlier 150 cars were booked which has now been increased to 225. The company which has been given the responsibility of logistics has been running from pillar to post to get more cars," said a source.
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Wild Thing's comment........
Well, that’s a comfort. I was worried that he might get brained by a coconut.
Actually at many resorts they do take the coconuts down from the trees near where the tourists at the hotels might be walking around. But I could care less if Obama gets hit on the head with one. hahahaha
Falling coconuts should be the last thing they worry about. Al Queda ring a bell Iindia????
....Thank you Mark for sending this to me.
Mark
3rd Mar.Div. 1st Battalion 9th Marine Regiment
1/9 Marines aka The Walking Dead
VN 66-67
Posted by Wild Thing at November 6, 2010 03:55 AM
Comments
Mani Bhavan, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his freedom struggle against the British, is among five places the US president is visiting in Mumbai.
It's been said on numerous occasions that Obama harbors a dislike towards the British. Interesting he chose this place to visit.
Posted by: BobF at November 6, 2010 07:46 AM
I wonder if the teleprompters will have their own room at the Taj. They are more important to obama than his czars. This whole trip is an expensive circus.
i am sure that most Indians will know that obama is a wounded president after last weeks elections. They will know that a majority of Americans have voted against him and his agenda. These elaborate preparations are for the President of the United States, even if it was Donald Duck.
Posted by: TomR, armed in Texas at November 6, 2010 09:38 AM
Coconuts? they ought to be more concerned about someone throwing Pineapples.
Posted by: Mark at November 6, 2010 06:13 PM
Damn, what the heck?! Must be nice.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 6, 2010 11:28 PM
From the Daily Mail in London:
"Not since the days of the Pharaohs or the more ludicrous Roman Emperors has a head of state travelled in such pomp and expensive grandeur as the President of the United States of America.
While lesser mortals – the Pope, Queen Elizabeth and so on – are usually happy to let their hosts handle most of the security and transport arrangements when they venture beyond their home shores, the United States creates a mini-America on the move to ensure that nothing is left to chance."
Posted by: Carlos at November 7, 2010 02:40 AM
Bob, thank you for that information. Yes it is interesting, I didn't know that.
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 7, 2010 03:50 AM
Tom, LMAO good one. Yes his trust teleprompter
hahahaha
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 7, 2010 03:53 AM
Mark, heh heh yess they should.
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 7, 2010 03:55 AM
Anonymous, LOL yes, guess this will be in his next book about how wonderful he is. shaking my head.
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 7, 2010 03:56 AM
Carlos, wow amazing, thank you so much for sharing that and the link.
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 7, 2010 03:59 AM
