Ahmedabad: Days ahead of US President Donald Trump's two-day visit to India, to take part in 'Namaste Trump' a similar event as Houston's 'Howdy Modi', preparations are in full swing in Gujarat's Ahmedabad.
On February 24, President Trump is expected to arrive in Ahmedabad to inaugurate the world's largest cricket stadium and is expected to spend three hours in the city.
President Trump is slated to address about 100,000 people at the ‘Namaste Trump’ event jointly with Prime Minister Modi’s home state of Gujarat at the 'Motera Stadium'.
“It will be similar to the landmark ‘Howdy, Modi!’ event hosted by the Indian-American community in honour of Prime Minister Modi during his visit to Houston in September 2019, in which President Trump participated," Foreign Secretary said.
When US President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will arrive at 'Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium' also known as Motera Stadium, they will be welcomed by a 'Raas', a traditional folk dance of Gujarat.
Around 32 artists will perform the 'Raas' to welcome President Trump in the traditional Gujarati style.
The Porbandar-based dance troupe belongs to Chhaya Maher Maniyara, the troupe who has been gearing up for their performance since months. Along with Maher Maniyara, the Leerbai Raas Mandal troupes will also be welcoming Trump's with their dance performances at the stadium.
Both, the Chhaya Maher Maniyara and Leerbai Raas Mandal troupes are known for performing the traditional folk dance of Gujarat with swords and shields.
During Trump's arrival at the airport, President and the First Lady will be welcomed by a ‘Shankhnaad’ recital or playing of the conches along with dance performances.
Around 19 artists will be performing 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’.
The Trumps will be welcomed in traditional Gujarati style. 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 the 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 is scheduled to visit India on February 24 and 25.
India and the US are eyeing to sign around five pacts providing for cooperation in areas of intellectual property rights, trade facilitation, and homeland security during President Donald Trump's maiden visit to India.
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