Keeping the cold at bay at Rajpath
By IANSTuesday, January 26, 2010
NEW DELHI - If President Pratibha Patil and Defence Minister A.K. Antony were in pristine white, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh chose a sombre dark bandhgala and Home Minister P. Chidambarama abandoned his usual sarong for a suit and tie ensemble as the Republic Day parade began here on a cold, bleak Tuesday morning.
Mufflers, caps, coats and all enveloping shawls were in full evidence in the VIP enclosure as ministers and other dignitaries watched the parade go by. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee could be seen with a thick cap, muffler and a bandhgala to keep the cold at bay.
Vice President Hamid Ansari also sported a fur cap. Congress president Sonia Gandhi was, as usual, elegant in a sari and dark coat. Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, who waved cheerily at the railway ministry tableau, was wrapped up in a white shawl. So was Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, who seemed snug in her shawl.
