President Bush's visit, as seen by the Indian press

NERVOUS COPS CARRY OUT HOUSE SEARCHES

"A 12,000-strong state police force is being deployed in the streets and around venues for the Bush visits. A 300-strong US security contingent would provide both inner and close-proximate cover to the president, along with 65 sniffer dogs and 145 bomb-disposal teams."

IN HYDERABAD, THE GLOBAL BOSS GOES DESI

"He enthusiastically rolled up his sleeves, enjoyed the tribal dances, spoke to farmers and self-help groups and, hold your breath, even patted buffalo. Mr Bush made bold to pat a sturdy jet black Murrah buffalo. The buffalo, quite unaware of the significance of the moment, urinated when Mr. Bush and the Chief Minister came near her."

NO-FLY ZONE

"A clear blue sky awaited President Bush as the city was declared a no-fly zone during his visit."

"A JOLLY GOOD MOOD"

"The president's body language and casual attire were indicative of him being set for an informal day."

HYDERABAD TO GET US CONSULATE

"It will be instrumental in organizing trips for American digniaries, business delegations, and foster interactions between scientists from the state and those from the US. Also, the consulate will work towards enhancing the image of Hyderabad and the state as a tourist destination."

BALLOONS BANNED FOR SAFETY

"Director General of police Swaranjit Sen on Thursday issued orders prohibiting flying of kites and balloons on Friday during U.S. President George W. Bush's visit to the city. Mr. Sen told the police top brass at a meeting that balloons and kites may obstruct movement of helicopters, said sources."

LAURA STARS IN SESAME SKIT

Warm and friendly First Lady of America, Laura Bush stole many hearts as she made her first public appearance at Eagle Studios' in Noida on the sets of Galli Galli Mein Sim Sim, the Indian version of her favourite kids programme Sesame Street.

FIRST LADY MEETS SPECIAL CHILDREN

"Her hectic schedule included a visit to spastic chidren and the homeless at Mother Theresa's Sisters of Charity."

"GO BACK BUSH" SLOGANS FILL RS, LS

"Go back, Bush" slogans rent both Houses of Parliament on Thursday, as all extending crucial outside support to the Congress-led UPA government, like the Left Front, Janata Dal (S), and Samajwadi Party, stalled proceedings of Parliament, forcing adjournment."

DAY OF DEMOS

"Protests marked the anti-Bush feeling among Muslim organizations and the Left parties in Hyderabad."

DUBYA'S SOJOUN HITS NORMAL LIFE

"An old man sitting nearby seems to know a lot about Bush's men. "You know why they are wearing those dark goggles? They have some X-ray power. The can see you inside out," he said. How does he now? Well, he had seen it on the TV."

"I AM PROUD TO BE IN INDIA, SAYS BUSH"

"What struck me during the conversation was that India is a country that recognizes the importance of religion and people of faith. India is an amazing country. People belonging to different religions are so proud to be Indians."

HOMAGE PAID TO MAHATMA

"The US President and his wife laid a wreath at Mahatma Gandhi's samadhi. They also paid floral tributes to the Father of the Nation. Not far from Rajghat, protesters shouted slogans against the U.S. President as a barefooted U.S. First Couple laid a wreath and showered flower petals on the memorial."

A RELAXED BUSH LOOKED MORE LIKE A BEER-BUDDY TO CEOS

"It was a U.S. President one rarely gets to see and hear. When George W. Bush put in an appearance at the Indian School of Business to shoot the breeze with a group of local entrepreneurs, and students of the business school, he did not give the impression of a man worried about his declining approval ratings back home, the continuing bloodshed in Iraq, or the challenges posed by Iran’s decision to go ahead with its nuclear programme. A relaxed George W. Bush, after changing from a blue-sweat shirt and trousers, into a formal three-piece suit at the ISB, with David Mulford, the US ambassador to India, at his elbow spent some quality time with the entrepreneurs. “He was great fun to be with. In fact, he looked like a guy you go out and have a beer with, or generally hang around, and not the most powerful man on earth,” says Sashi P. Reddy, CEO of AppLabs, and one of the participants at the interactive session."

KISS TOPS BUSH GIFT LIST US

"President George W. Bush left Hyderabad with an unforgettable gift: A surprise peck on the cheek by a woman self-help group member from Chittoor. Mr. Bush was going around the pavilion for women self-help groups at the Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University (Angrau) here, escorted by Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy. When he arrived at a stall displaying forest produce, K. Nagarajamma of Chittoor in southern AP, a 29-year-old mother of two, told Mr. Bush, “America adhyakshudini kalvatam oka kala sir.” Dr. Reddy translated for Mr Bush: “Meeting the U.S. president is like a dream.” Mr. Bush smiled, nodded and was about to move to the next stall when Ms. Nagarajamma pointed to Mr Bush’s cheek. Mr. Bush apparently thought there was something sticking, but understood almost immediately. He bent down, and the petite woman reached up and kissed him on the cheek. Mr. Bush responded with a big “Thank you,” as everyone watched in disbelief. Asked later what made her kiss Mr. Bush, Ms. Nagarajamma said with a smile: “It’s a gift from my side!” After Mr. Bush left, the women crowded around the new star, who just blushed.

PHOREN PEDESTALS

"The lecterns from where Manmohan Singh and Bush address the press on Thursday afternoon had to be imported from the White House. Each podium weighed enough to need at least four persons to lift it and built to withstand a lot of pressure, even trom the speakers."

and...

THE MOOD AFTER THE VISIT: THANK GOD IT'S SATURDAY!

"After three days of ceaseless round-the-clock vigil, the Indian intelligence and police establishment - especially in and around New Delhi and Hyderabad - must be looking forward to this weekend."

QUOTES

President Bush: "India is the 21st century is a natural partner of the U.S. because we are brothers in the cause of human liberty."

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh: "President Bush has been very unchivalrous. He is not taking Laura to visit the Taj Mahal."President Bush: "Don't mention the Taj. That's what Laura has been saying... Mr. Prime Minister, if you invite me again, I'll go visit the Taj."