Ahmedabad: The excitement of US President Donald Trump’s visit and the fact that he has made Ahmedabad his first stop has sent the city’s residents into a celebration that they call “mini Republic Day”.
Rajesh Thakur has come to the Motera Stadium — the world’s biggest cricket ground and venue for Monday’s ‘Namaste Trump’ event — just to see the enormous gate erected at the entrance with giant photos of Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“I have come here with my family because we feel this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” says an elated Thakur. He says Trump’s visit, even if it is for a few hours, will help with some long-pending issues concerning the city’s traffic and sanitation problems.
Others are thronging the streets of Ahmedabad in their best attire, enjoying a slice of the India Road Show organised to welcome Trump. The road show has been planned on the lines of the Republic Day celebrations, where cultural shows and dance performances from various states — from Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh to Jammu and Kashmir to Haryana — are being showcased.
Also read: Donald Trump will discuss CAA & NRC with Modi amid concerns over ‘religious freedom’
Ahmedabad on the world map
According to 52-year-old Mehul Jani, who’s one of the “lucky” ones to be able to get a ticket for the gala event, the event is putting Ahmedabad on the international map.”
“Thanks to Prime Minister Modi, Ahmedabad is now on the international map. This visit by a US President will have long-term impact on the welfare of its people. I’m going to see the show and am very excited to see my two favourite leaders — Trump and Modi — on stage,” Jani says.
The final advisory issued by the Ministry of External Affairs says President Trump will land in Ahmedabad Monday morning and head straight to Mahatma Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram. Both leaders will then address the ‘Namaste Trump’ rally, having enjoyed the India Road Show en route.
Also read: US to train India in counter-terrorism, Trump decides to give Pakistan a miss