Thursday, November 4, 2010

Obama's Royal Visit To Mumbai

So apparently our royal highness is visiting Mumbai. Presumably he is trying to get the hell out of the country that just bitch slapped his party.

Tell me this does not sound like a royal visit though:

First they are removing the coconuts from the trees near his visit
All coconuts around the city's Gandhi museum, one of Mr Obama's stops in the city, are being taken down.

Mani Bhavan, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his freedom struggle against the British, is among five places the US president is visiting in Mumbai.

"We told the authorities to remove the dry coconuts from trees near the building. Why take a chance?" Mani Bhavan's executive secretary, Meghshyam Ajgaonkar, told the BBC.


And they are building a bomb proof above ground tunnel for his vehicles:
Since it is difficult to monitor such a congested area, they came up with a quick solution which left the Indians accompanying them amazed: A bomb-proof over-ground tunnel — to be installed by US military engineers in just an hour.
The tunnel would be a kilometre long and measure 12ft by 12ft — enough to let Obama’s cavalcade pass through. The tunnel would be centrally air-conditioned, fitted with close-circuit television cameras, and will be heavily guarded at every point, including, of course, its entry and exit.


Finally they are banning fireworks:
But for many Mumbaikers, Obama will get in the way of what they like best - a good party.
Fireworks, a highlight of any Diwali - after all, it is the festival of lights - will be banned in much of South Mumbai, where the president and his entourage will be based.


Finally, he will have 3000 people accompanying him along with a full compliment of 34 US Navy ships including a carrier:

He will also be protected by a fleet of 34 warships, including an aircraft carrier, which will patrol the sea lanes off the Mumbai coast during his two-day stay there beginning Saturday.


Apparently no one in the white house has ever heard of GoToMeeting...