Thaindian News

By Praful Kumar Singh

Phnom Penh, Sep 15 (ANI): Musical tunes composed by former Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk and Bollywood songs were played to welcome visiting Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil at the Royal Palace here.

On Tuesday, Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni accorded President Patil a traditional welcome, with children and people lining the streets of the Cambodian capital, waving Indian flags.

A total of nine songs composed by King Norodom Sihanouk were played at the state banquet, followed by golden hits from Bollywood, which surprised the Indian delegation.

Bollywood songs like “Mera Joota Hai Japani”, “Awara Hoon”, “Vande Matram”, “Hum Tum”, and the Oscar-winning “Jai Ho” were played at the banquet in honour of the Indian delegation.

Cambodia wooed Indian VVIP delegates by playing old Bollywood songs and serving vegetarian food for President Pratibha Devisingh Patil at the state banquet.

As a mark of respect and expression of best wishes to the Indian delegation, the Apsara dance, Moni Mekhala dance and the Fam dance were performed.

Indian Minister of Tribal Affairs Kantilal Bhuria, MP Mohan Singh were among the dignitaries who attended the banquet.

The banquet was held at the Royal Palace. The elaborate cuisine included pan fried duck foie gras, red port and orange glazed apples, ravioli with spinach and cheese, rashpberry sorbet, dark chocolates, nut tarts, red fruit tarta, Mignardises chicken soup with bean curd flakes, roasted mutton chops with curry and codfish with tomato sauce.

Patil arrived on a six-day state visit to Cambodia from September 13 to 18 on Monday, with the objective of strengthening enduring partnerships with countries of the ASEAN region as part of India’s Look-East policy. (ANI)