Gandhi museum to gift handspun clothes to Trump

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has sealed three paan (betel leaf) shops at the airport circle ahead of US President Trump’s visit to the city next week. Notices were also put up outside the shops, warning shop-owners against removing the seals. Paan is a preparation combining betel leaf with areca nut and widely consumed throughout the Indian subcontinent for its stimulant effects – but after chewing many people spit it out in public, leaving indelible stains on walls and other public areas. Ahmedabad has gone into an overdrive to paint the walls and beautify the city areas where the US president is likely to visit.

Trump may land in Jaipur if Delhi weather is poor

Air Force One carrying US President Donald Trump may land in Jaipur in Rajasthan at the start of his scheduled visit to India next week in case weather conditions at the Delhi International Airport are poor. Two US Embassy teams separately visited Jaipur airport this week to check on infrastructure and other facilities, and approved using it as an alternative landing spot for Trump’s plane.

US secret service sets up control room in cricket stadium

The US government has flown in equipment for the safety of the US first couple, with the first C-17 Globemaster transport plane carrying security gadgets landing in Ahmedabad. The plane carried equipment such as security cars, sniper units, fire safety equipment and spy drone cameras. Four more such aircraft are expected to arrive at the airport by Saturday. The US Secret Service and other allied agencies have set up a control room in the Motera stadium, which will be looked after by 200 of security personnel. India’s Special Protection Group and Gujarat Police have also set up their own control rooms at the stadium.

Taj Mahal gets ready to welcome US first couple

Ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to India next week, preparations are under way in Agra where the administration is beautifying the entire route from Kheria Airport to Taj Mahal. The dry and polluted river Yamuna at the end of Taj Mahal is the biggest concern for the Uttar Pradesh administration. After Eisenhower and Bill Clinton, Trump will be the third US President to visit the 17th century monument of love – although Clinton is believed to have called Agra a “ghost city” following his visit. Hectic preparations include sealing off key streets, lining up students with flags along the road during Trump’s journey, local artistes presenting cultural programmes and deploying one policeman every one metre. Houses and shops on Trump’s route are being repainted, overflowing garbage vats removed and illegal encroachments demolished on the Fatehabad road. A five-tiered security system will also be in operation, with deployment of more than 800 Indian elite commandos.

Can an Agra bridge withstand The Beast?

A 350-metre bridge close to Eidgah bus station in the northern city of Agra is on the likely route between the airport and the hotel when President Trump visits. A signpost ahead of the bridge says: “This bridge is weak. Only light vehicles allowed.” But at more than 5 tonnes, Trump’s official vehicle, The Beast, far exceeds the weight category allowed on the bridge. On Tuesday, work was on to repair and fix lights on the metal arch on top of the bridge. “The final decision rests with the city administration as to what the eventual route will be taken. We have written to the Superintendent of Police (Traffic) that heavy vehicles must not be allowed. The bridge is functional, and as per limit vehicular movement takes place,” a Northern Railways official told local media. Other officials said, the bridge has withstood weight of heavy vehicles in the past.