The Gujarat government is making all efforts to make Chinese President Xi Jinping’s meeting over dinner with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Sabarmati riverfront on September 17 a memorable one. The Riverfront park wears a festive look as six pagodas were being raised. Though the pagodas were imported from Germany, but will have ethnic Gujarat touches with Kutchi torans, Sankheda swing, carved traditional furniture and Gujarati and English books. Chief Minister Anandiben Patel visited the site on Sunday to take a look at the arrangements.
While several parts of Ahmedabad already turned into high security zones, the riverfront wears a festive look. Workers contracted by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation are working round the clock at the riverfront park near Shahibaug to raise six air-conditioned domes attendant with all facilities befitting the heads of the state and the government.
In the first dome, Xi and Modi along with their delegates will have dinner. The second dome is for the Indian and Chinese delegates, the third for Xi while the fourth is for Modi. The kitchen is at some distance where food will be prepared by chefs from the Taj. The Chief Minister and her ministers will occupy the last dome in the garden.
While domes for the chief minister, kitchen and Modi are ready, the other domes are being built. Each dome costs Rs 1500,000 lakh to 2000,000, sources said.
Two rooms for meeting
Each dome will have two main rooms for meeting, an ante-room for the VVIP to rest and a washroom. The interiors will look like the rooms of a five star hotel. Furniture worth Rs 3000,000 have been purchased to give the domes a grand look.
According to sources, the furniture being brought here have traditional Gujarati carvings. There will be Sankheda type swings at the corner of the Chinese president's dome.
Library for Chinese President
There will be a library at the entrance of Xi’s and Modi's domes. Xi's room will have both English and Gujarati books. The doors of the domes will be decorated with Kutchi torans to give them ethnic touch. According to sources, the dinner will be attended by a limited number of guests from each side and it will not be very ostentatious.
Modi tweets
“On 17th, President Xi Jinping will be in Gujarat. We look forward to extending a warm welcome to him but there will be no birthday celebrations,” Modi tweeted on Sunday. Modi will turn 64 on September 17.
