Richard Wellesley famously said that India needed to be governed from a palace instead of a country house. That happened and the President of India lives there today.
US President @realDonaldTrump's cavalcade arrives at Rashtrapati Bhavan for ceremonial reception@POTUS @PMOIndia @IndianEmbassyUS @USAmbIndia @PressSec@robertcobrien@Scavino45#TrumpIndiaVisit— DD India (@DDIndialive) February 25, 2020
Watch #TrumpIndiaVisit on DD India LIVE: https://t.co/FIqrREvyOE pic.twitter.com/Uw2tyuOx1Q
President Trump and America's First Lady were welcomed to Rashtrapati Bhavan by a ceremonial guard of honor and a 21 gun salute. The spirit of the Raj loomed large and you have to wonder at the thing; the Mall, Rotten Row, an Edwardian Baroque Blenheim Palace (?) and the Cotswolds all supersized and rolled in with India to fit the dignity of their Imperial Majesties and Viceroy.
So 45 was welcomed by Lancers, yes they still exist, Gurkhas and a formation made up of members from the three services. Stirring, at least for me, at every level. But was anything missing?
US President @realDonaldTrump greeted with 21- GUN in an honourable welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan@POTUS @PMOIndia @IndianEmbassyUS @USAmbIndia @PressSec@robertcobrien@Scavino45— DD India (@DDIndialive) February 25, 2020
Watch #TrumpIndiaVisit on DD India LIVE: https://t.co/FIqrREvyOE pic.twitter.com/8bztoQ5Bwz
Yes, surely Trump and the First Lady would've looked better in uniform and in a carriage, more in keeping with their cavalry escort than the Beast, awesome as that is. Also, and it's a big also, the Viceroy wasn't there because there isn't one.
Too bad, Great Britain, for not realizing the Commonwealth vision that could have been and might still be. In the meanwhile, well done President Trump and Melania for flying the flag and keeping America great. Well done India too, for such a welcome.
Your Old Friend,
LSP
16 comments:
India knows how to put on a dignified show.
Happy Madri Gras and a happy (slightly early) Ash Wed.
We had dinner out and shared a deep fried banana split after scarfing down pork schnitzel. Picture two bananas wrapped in phyllo dough and deep fried. Down the middle of the bowl three scoops of ice cream (vanilla, huckleberry, chocolate - that they actually churn up themselves.) Pour on the Nutella, chocolate sauce, strawberry and blueberry puree, candied bing cherries, scatter about some toasted almonds, and decorate the whole mess with whipped cream. Now that's what I call "Fat Tuesday." 18 bucks and it was worth every penny.
Tomorrow? Ashes and fasting!
The palace quote was Richard Wellesley (later 2nd Earl Mornington) not Arthur.
Imagine how heads would have exploded if President Trump (commander in chief of American forces) would have reviewed the troops in a Field Marshal's Uniform? That's not how we do it, but the reaction on CNN and MSNBC would have been priceless. Compare that to Mini Mike in the same uniform (epic fail).
The Sun sets on the British Empire these days very quickly...
We had the obligatory pancake thing at the Missions, Adrienne. And every year I dread it but always end up having fun!
Your feast sounds tasty, serious fasting for me now.
Thx Anon, fixed.
LL, odd to think the massive Viceroy's palace only had a little over 30 years before it was handed over to an Indian president. The sun set swiftly.
But yes, picture the exploding heads at the appearance of the GRAND MARSHAL. Then there's the Mini Marshal...
Didn't they do a lot amore for Justine Trudeau and family ? hahahaaa
I was amused by LL's comment. Marshal Mini Mike would be as imposing as Mike Dukakis, tank commander.
Oh how i hope to see mini mike in a tank, snicker snicker
Impressive to say the least. And they comported themselves well!
Disappointingly, no Elephant-drawn heavy artillery.
Kid, I'm getting requests from everywhere to do a Trump/Justine side-by-side comparison... stand by.
Hahaha! Jim, I just laughed. But what will become of Mini? Maybe this race will bankrupt him, but I'm not holding my breath.
Egyptian, Mini's the gift that keeps on giving. Mind you, the same holds true of all the contenders.
Didn't they just, NFO! Officers trained at Sandhurst, doubtless.
Anon, several things weren't quite right and you named one of them.
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