President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will extend a warm welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he arrives at the White House. The presidential residence has been adorned with captivating decorations, featuring the magnificent peacock and the delicate lotus blooms, symbolising the rich cultural heritage of India. The event will be highlighted by a splendid vegetarian dinner, carefully-curated to accommodate PM Modi’s dietary preferences.
With meticulous attention to detail, the decor will seamlessly blend elements of American and Indian culture. The tables will be adorned with the graceful lotus blooms, representing revered symbolism in Indian design, while images of the peacock and the bald eagle, the national birds of India and the United States, respectively, will be displayed throughout the venue. Notably, the lotus is also a symbol of the Bharatiya Janata Party that Modi belongs to.
The gala event will see around 400 esteemed guests, including notable personalities from the corporate world such as Apple CEO Tim Cook, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and FedEx CEO Raj Subramaniam, among others.
This occasion serves as a symbolic convergence, uniting the world’s oldest democracy with the world’s largest democracy, as emphasised by First Lady Jill Biden during a press briefing.
The White House has disclosed the delectable menu for the evening, keeping in mind the Indian Prime Minister’s strict vegetarian diet.
The first course will consist of a tantalising grilled corn kernel salad complemented by a tangy avocado sauce. The main course will showcase the indulgence of portobello mushrooms and creamy saffron-infused risotto, according to Reuters.
The grand finale will be a delightful rose and cardamom-infused strawberry shortcake, ensuring a memorable conclusion to the culinary journey.
Embracing a cherished White House tradition, the Bidens have tailored the menu to provide a subtle taste of home while showcasing American culinary excellence.
The state dinner hosted for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2009 featured the fusion of basmati rice, White House-grown arugula, and pumpkin pie tarts.
Adding to the evening’s allure, renowned American violinist Joshua Bell will grace the stage with his melodious performance. Joining him will be Penn Masala, an esteemed South Asian a capella group hailing from the prestigious University of Pennsylvania.
(With Reuters inputs)
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Updated: 22 Jun 2023, 07:11 AM IST
