Obama plans to speak for just 20 mins in Parliament

Oct 23, 2010 - Age Correspondent |

New Delhi

US President Barack Obama is planning a 20-minute speech to MPs in the historic Central Hall of Parliament here on November 8. A teleprompter will be used for the first time in the Indian Parliament on the occasion.

Under the tentative programme which is still in the process of being fine-tuned, Mr Obama’s address is not likely to last for more than 20 minutes.
The US President’s entire programme is also not likely to be for longer than an hour. It is scheduled to start at 5 pm that day. Parliamentary sources said here on Friday that the customary high tea, which follows such speeches, is likely to be dropped.
The programme will begin with a welcome speech by vice-president Hamid Ansari, who is also Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, and the United States President’s address will be followed by a vote of thanks by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar. Mr Obama is also likely to sign the “Golden Book”, the parliamentary visitors’ book.
US First Lady Michelle Obama is scheduled to accompany her husband to Central Hall, but it is not yet certain if US secretary of state Hillary Clinton will also be part of the Obama entourage on the occasion.
When Mr Obama is speaking, the only ones on the dais will be the presiding officers of the two Houses and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Ms Michelle Obama will have a special seat in the front row.

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