It promises to be a ‘Wah Taj’ moment for US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama. America’s First Couple will be hoping that the fog will clear up on January 27 and the immortal Taj Mahal, the iconic 17th century sandstone monument, will reveal its ageless splendour to them.
President Obama heads to Agra, located 165 km away from Delhi, a day after gracing the Republic Day parade, the first time an American president has been invited as the chief guest on India’s national day, symbolising the new bounce in India-US relationship.
The iconic white sandstone monument, which has been variously described as a poem in stone, a moon-white dream and a tear on the face of humanity, has inspired poets, philosophers and statesmen down the ages. It’s now a must-see stop on the itinerary of visiting foreign leaders, providing them a much-needed respite from heavy duty diplomacy and realpolitick.
Security agencies are working overtime to ensure that the presidential visit to Taj Mahal goes off without any incident. Latest reports suggest that while President Obama is in Agra, it will be a no-fly zone for commercial airlines.
[youtube id=”P-C5ySMPK0U” mode=”normal”]The monument will be shut down for the public for security reasons. The US first couple will have Taj Mahal all to themselves so that they can soak in the Taj moment and garner memories of a lifetime. Hopefully, the monument that was built by the 17th century Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumataz Mahal, will also keep the spark alive in Obama’s reawakened affair with India.
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