Drizzle fizzles out Indian Americans' party

A damp and dreary morning in Washington DC put paid to the elaborate pomp and circumstance that was to mark the arrival of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur Tuesday to the White House during the former's first state visit under the Obama Presidency.

In stead of the sprawling South Lawn where Singh was to review the guard of honor, in the presence of some 400-odd guests, the welcome ceremony was moved inside the East Room thanks to the overnight rain and drizzle.

From an elaborate ceremonial that was to be replete with full honors, marching bands and playing of national anthems of both countries, the ceremony turned into a truncated and subdued event inside the East Room without either the marching bands or the ceremonial guard of honor. A record of both countries national anthems were played inside the East Room.

Hundreds of other community leaders who had come from various parts of the country to witness the historic event waited outside, desperately hoping to get a chance to witness the event. But, obviously, most of them were frustrated as only a handful of Indian Americans were allowed inside the East Room.

Sources said that hundreds of Indian Americans, who were invited and given tickets for the event by the Indian Embassy, were sent an e-mail early in the morning,  saying the South Lawn ceremony has been cancelled due to rains and that they would not be able to attend.