Trump visit; reports claim Gandhi ashram visit uncertain, Gujarati folk dances planned at airport, 3 U.S. cabinet members likely to arrive

February 19, 2020
Ahmedabad Gujarat

Ahmedabad: When US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive at the Ahmedabad airport next week, they will be welcomed by a ‘Shankhnaad’ recital or playing of the conches along with dance performances, the Gujarat government said, reports news agency IANS adding that around 19 artists will be perform the ‘Shankhnaad’ as soon as Trump emerges out of Air Force One, the official aircraft of the US president, on their arrival. The entire airport area will reverberate with conch tunes believed to be the sound of the ‘Brahmnaad’.

Right from Air Force One, six dance troupes along both sides of the 150 feet wide red carpet, will perform ‘Beda Nritya’, ‘Janaviya Dhol’, ‘Par Beda dance’, ‘Dhol Bhoongli Shehnai’, ‘Phool Mandavi’, ‘Jaagwali ladies’ comprising 116 artists.

Besides that, on the sprawling lawns across the airport, 256 artists from 14 troupes will perform dances depicting traditional culture of Gujarat. “The US President will be directly flying to Ahmedabad right from Washington. More than one lakh people will be attending the ‘Namaste Trump’ event. This will be a historical event for Gujarat,” said Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

Trump’s visit to Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram is not certain, reports News 18 report.

According to Hindustan Times report, President Donald Trump will be accompanied on the India visit by at least three members of his cabinet and son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, who has emerged as the president’s right-hand man on some of the administration’s key foreign policy priorities and engagements. The three secretaries will be Steve Mnuchin of treasury, Wilbur Ross of commerce and Secretary Dan Brouillette of energy, according to people familiar with the planning of the visit, who also pointed out that these lists could change with additions and eliminations. There was was no word if Robert Lighthizer, the trade representative and top negotiator, will join the delegation. He cancelled a visit to New Delhi scheduled for last week to wrap up discussion on a trade deal, putting a question mark on what was once expected to be the defining achievement of Trump’s visit.

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