New Delhi: Dozens of pedestal fans lining the seating arrangement proved to be of little help in the sweltering heat for the VVIPs attending oath taking ceremony of Narendra Modi as the 15th Prime Minister of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan here.
The red-carpeted forecourt of the imposing Rashtrapati Bhavan was an ideal setting for the ceremony marking the clear verdict given by the voters after 30 years but the sultry weather with mercury at 36.4 degrees Celsius proved otherwise.
With sun setting in the background of Rashtrapati Bhavan it was a pleasant ambiance but VVIPs, including Kerala Governor Sheila Dikshit, were seen using brochure as fan to relieve themselves of the sweltering weather in the forecourt.
The attendants of some VIPs were seen carrying umbrellas to protect their masters from direct sunlight.
Special arrangements were made by the Rashtrapati Bhavan including special pedestal fans which create little sound while rotating, desert coolers with `khus` were installed and fountains were kept running at full capacity to ensure that guests faced little inconvenience.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan staff ensured that dignitaries and guests had ample supply of cold packaged water to ward off the heat in the forecourt.
The Met Department had predicted a cloudy sky and thunder conditions which made Rashtrapati Bhavan officials to keep plan B ready for which Durbar Hall was prepared but a clear weather resulted in smooth conduct of ceremony which was witnessed by foreign dignitaries, including heads of SAARC nations barring Bangladesh, Cinema stars, religious and spiritual gurus, political leaders, former Presidents and Prime Ministers among others.
