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Colourful Raj Ceremonials Survive in India

Prakash Chandra writes from New Delhi
FROM time to time India, now a Republic, goes back to the British
Rnj
Of course, the British rulers are not there But the cere monies and rituals are all An glo=Saxon in content and flavour.
When Parliament is opened by the President he drives in a coach and six. Then he reads out hts address in the Lower House on the pattern of the Queen s speech in the British House of Commons in London.
A more colourful event is the presentation of credentials by Ambassadors to the President of the Republic. And until this ceremony Is held the envoy cannot function as a representative of his country.
A presidential aide has described In detail the presentation of credentials as a colourful event which is remembered by every Ambassador as his most important day when he arrives in New Delhi.
Last year, some 27 Ambas-
sadors presented their credentials. Early this year. Ambassadors of Jordan, Myanmar and Thailand presented their papers There are 95 envoys in Delhi with the Ambassador of Israel to join the diplomatic crops soon.
The viceregal lodge, where the British viceroys lived until 1950 when India elected its President, is a 300-room mansion called Rashtrapati Bha-wan. The credential function is held there in the Ashoka Hall in the morning and lasts about an hour.
The Chief of Protocol of the Ministry of External Affairs is the master of ceremonies for the credentials event. He escorts the Ambassador from his residence.
Immed
Immediately on reaching the beautiful and Imposing iron gates, he is shifted to a state coach driven by six horses. Thereafter he is driven In state to the Fore Court, escorted by mounted columns of the Pres
ident s bodyguards
On reaching the fore-court, the Ambassador is taken to the saluting base where the National Anthems of the two countries are played by the Army band with the persons watching the ceremony standing "In attention." Thereafter, the Ambassador is requested to inspect the Guard of Honour when he walks on the path laid for him in a real royal fashion.
The Ambassador proceeds to the Ashoka Hall in a procession. The officers of the embassy. Ministry of External Affairs and the President's Sec retariat accompany him. At the open staircase, the trumpeters sound the fanfare reminiscent of Mughal grandeur.
At the stroke of ten, the President is conducted to the Ashoka Hall tn a procession headed by the ADCs and
After the President Is seated, the Ambassador, accompanied by the Military Secretary who leads the pro cession, proceeds to the scat occupied by the President. The Army officers of the President’s Office, officers of the Ministry of External Affairs and a few member* of the Embassy form the processton.
As the procession ap proaches the Chair, the President receives them. The Sec rdtary of the Ministry of Ex tcrnal Affairs formally presents the Ambassador
The group photograph over, the guests along with the President and the Ambass^ior* are conducted to the drawing room adjacent to the Ashoka Hall for an Informal meeting where refreshments are served. The meeting lasting about 15 minutes enables the President and the Ambassador to have a free exchange of views. An opportunity is also taken to »pell out Indias poll cies and programmes while the Ambassador renews his schedule of work
The President, quite often, apprises the Ambassador of the economic progress made by India and the possible areas ol
cooperation with a view to strengthening bilateral rela Uons. ft help* build personal rapport.
This is an exact replica of the credential ceremonies al the Buckingham Place* In London.
ft is generally believed here that It was Lord Mountbatten, the last British Viceroy, who persuaded Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to retain the traditions and ceremonials. In eluding the colourful Viceregal Guards wfth their horses The credentials ceremony Is part of this pattern.
But nothing comes cheap Apparently. It coats some 50 million rupees (US9I.8 million) annually to maintain the massive Rashtrapatl Bhawan mansion with Its presidential guards, contingent of armed police, horses, a stable of cars and Its extensive gardens
Some 300 gardener* are on the staff to maintain the Mughal Garden* which Is known for Its rose, oriental and English flowers Now the PVesldeni takes h1» guests on a p< raonal tour of the enchant Ing garden Deplhneuia AMn