Obama, Michelle will visit Humayun’s tomb
After he lands in New Delhi on November 7, US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama will be visiting Humayun’s Tomb, the 450-year-old monument which is also a world heritage site. While the tomb has itself been restored in July and August this year and has been fully illuminated, the Archaeological Survey of India said that no special preparations were being planned for the occasion.
According to Ben Rhodes, Mr Obama’s official speech-writer and spokesperson, “the tomb is one of the great cultural marvels in New Delhi and the President felt it was important, given the rich civilisation that India has, to pay tribute to it through this stop.” He added, “we wanted to ensure that we had a culture stop in Delhi, in this instance visiting a tomb that has served as a precursor to the Taj Mahal.”
Meanwhile, talking to the media, the Archeological Survey of India joint director, General B.R. Mani said: “I don’t think any US President has visited Humayun’s Tomb in the last 20 years. But the visit depends on security arrangements.” The ASI has not drawn up any special plans for the tomb in view of Obama’s visit, Mani said. The tomb, which made its place in the Unesco’s list of World Heritage Sites in 1993, is one of the most frequented historic monuments by tourists.
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