PM Modi’s Varanasi Rolls Out Red Carpet For Shinzo Abe

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Dec 12, 2015:  After a day of business meetings and bilateral talks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will give Japanese Prime Minister a tour of his Lok Sabha constiutuency, Varanasi, this afternoon. 

 

India’s oldest city shares a sister city agreement with Japan’s Kyoto, signed during PM Modi’s visit to Japan in August last year.

The two leaders will visit the fabled Dashashwamedh ghat around 5.45 pm, where a cultural extravaganza followed by "Ganga Arti" -- a beautifully choreographed daily ritual worship of the holy river, will be held.

A gigantic make-shift stage has been erected on the river bed with the help of pontoons and a music system has been installed with special permission from the Allahabad High Court.

The Army and the Navy personnel would be guarding the make-shift stage from where the Premiers will enjoy a panoramic view of the event.

Mr Abe and PM Modi will land by a special aircraft at the Babatpur airport in Varanasi around 4 pm and will be driven to the hotel Gateway in Nadesar.

As the two left, the ministry of external affairs tweeted, "Taking Japan to the heart of India. In a special gesture PM invites PM @AbeShinzo to fly together to Varanasi."

Mr Abe, who is on a three-day day visit to India,  will also meet a select group of people, both Indians and of people of Japanese origin, residing in Varanasi.

The two leaders will fly back to Delhi after a banquet, in which various dignitaries, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Governor Ram Naik and state ministers are likely to take part.

Courtesy: Zeenews