Rajkot: Vice President Hamid Ansari, who is
on a three-day tour to Gujarat, visited the Gir Sanctuary, the
only known home to the world-famous Asiatic lions, and came
back "thrilled".
Ansari along with his wife Salma arrived here yesterday in
a special helicopter from Ahmedabad and went straight to Sasan
where a special arrangement for his stay was made by the
Junagadh district authorities and the forest department.
He also took a wildlife safari last night and this
morning, forest department sources said.
After watching the lions roaming freely, a senior forest
official who accompanied Ansari quoted him as saying, "seeing
lions fearlessly in Gir forest is the most memorable
experience of my life. I was thrilled."
As many as four sites were reserved for the Vice
President, from where the lions were easily visible, sources
said.
Various cultural programmes were organised by the
district authorities at the "Sinh Sadan" where the Siddi
community performed their famous "Dhamal Nrutya" while the
girls performed the popular "Ras-Garba".
The Vice President was served traditional Kathiyawadi
food of 'Bajri no Rotlo', 'Ringna no Olo' (Brinjal curry),
Kadhi and Khichdi.
State Health Minister Jaynarayan Vyas, State Forest
Minister Mangubhap Patel and senior district and forest
officials were among those who accompanied Ansari.
He is expected to leave for Delhi later in the day,
sources added.
PTI
First Published: Monday, January 09, 2012, 16:07