Bush to get taste of Indian cuisine at Rashtrapati Bhavan

New Delhi, Mar 1: A fitness freak, US President George Bush will have nothing of chicken when the Rashtrapati Bhavan hosts him at the banquet tomorrow evening.

President Bush and the First Lady Laura Bush will get a taste of Indian cuisines at the banquet at the sprawling Mughal Gardens with lamb, fish and prawn forming the main course of the dinner.

With the bird flu scare still haunting parts of the country, the Rashtrapati Bhavan decided to give chicken a miss from the five-course dinner.

The Bush couple will not miss the 'home' flavour as care has been taken to add 'broccoli soup' in the menu.

President A P J Abdul Kalam started the custom of including a dish from the guests' home country to make them feel at home.

''The Rashtrapati Bhavan is looking forward to the visit of the US President and the First Lady. All preparations have been made to extend hospitality to the high-profile dignitaries,'' says Mr S M Khan, Press Secretary to President Kalam.

The US President, who arrives here this evening on a three-day visit, will officially begin his India-trip with a ceremonial welcome at forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan where he will be received by President Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

UNI