Carla Bruni and her husband, French President, Nicholas Sarkozy made an unscheduled visit to the Taj Mahal on Saturday. They are once again expected to visit to the Taj Mahal again on Sunday.
In 2008 when the French President visited India, Carla, then his girlfriend, stayed away mainly because the protocol officers were unable to decide her exact status. But, this time there were no such issues. They visited the Taj Mahal together, something they perhaps, wanted to do for a while.
Whispers of the proposed unscheduled visit begun around 2.30 pm on Saturday. The Central Industrial Security Force personnel, guarding the monument swung into action and asked the tourists to vacate the premises in the wake of a VIP visit. The French President, along with Ms Bruni, landed at an Air Force base here and reached Amar Vikas in a cavalcade of over 30 vehicles.
Crowd had lined up to catch a glimpse of the French President. They were not disappointed as Mr Sarkozy waved to the crowd at one point.
Stretches leading to the eastern gate of Taj Mahal were cordoned off as the French First Couple walked into the historic monument. While the French securitymen stood gaurd, the couple spent sometime together, watching the monument, the ultimate tribute to love. Ms Bruni wrapped in a green shawl and Mr Sarkozy in a black suit watched the wonder as the sun slowly began to set. They will return again on Sunday.
For security reasons, nobody was allowed to get into the hotel, Amar Vilas where the French First Couple are staying. Roads were cordoned off.
Even the markets on the way to the monument were closed.
However, shops another establishments near the hotel remained open.
If the VIPs enjoyed their 30 minuts at the Taj Mahal, a group of students from a primary school were left disappointed. Their visit to Taj Mahall ended abruptly.
The chairman of the school, Prem Raj Rawat, was upset not merely for the children being moved out “hastily” but also for some “bad behaviour” by security personnel.