In Banquet For President Barack Obama Tonight, Haak ka Saag on Menu, Malpua for Dessert

New Delhi: The banquet for US president Barack Obama tonight is perhaps the biggest ever at the Presidential palace Rashtrapati Bhavan, with a guest list of around 250 people. The number of guests at any such banquet is usually not more than 100.

The menu will feature the best of Indian cuisine, including Galauti Kebab, Soufiyans fish tikka, chicken malai tikka, stir fried broccoli, paneer malai tikka, veg kabab, mustard fish curry, mutton Rogan josh, chicken korma, Dal Raisina, Haak ka saag, Kadhi Pakora, chhole, papad, pulao, tandoori roti and naan. There will be malpua and rabdi for dessert.

The US President, who is the chief guest at tomorrow's Republic Day celebrations, and First Lady Michelle Obama, arrived this morning for a three-day visit.

The guests at tonight's dinner hosted by President Pranab Mukherjee include, apart from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and top union ministers, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh.
 
President Obama's entire delegation will attend the dinner.

The National Security Adviser, the three service chiefs and diplomats from both countries will be present.

Former presidents like APJ Abdul Kalam and Pratibha Patil have also been invited. The Lok Sabha Speaker, Leaders of opposition, the Chief Justice of India and the RBI governor are also among the invitees.

Members of the US-India Business Council are expected to be present at the banquet. Corporate India is likely to be represented by Mukesh Ambani, Anil Ambani, Ratan Tata, Cyrus Mistry, Anand Mahindra, Gautam Adani, Sunil Bharti Mittal and Deepak Parekh.

The mammoth guest list includes winners of the Padma awards, India's highest civilian honour.

Reports suggest Sania Mirza, Amitabh Bachchan, Amartya Sen and Sachin Tendulkar have been invited.