Monday, November 30, 2009

White House gatecrasher socialite Michaele Salahi photographs with India's deputy chief of mission in US Arun K Singh

AMERICAN model and socialite Michaele Salahi and her husband Tareq Salahi, who had gatecrashed to White House state dinner in honour of Indian PM on November 24, 2009, not only shook hands with President Barack Obama but hobnobbed with top Indian officials and corporate honchos present during that reception. The celebrity Virginia couple, whose name was not on the guest list of the state dinner, also managed to photograph with Pepsico CEO Indra Nooyi and with India's deputy chief of mission in US Arun K Singh, an Indian Foreign Service officer of 1979 batch. (See picture: Arun K Singh with Salahi couple) Ms Salahi in her facebook page has claimed that she was honored to be invited to attend the state dinner hosted by President Obama & the First Lady to honour India. She further mentions, "In June 2010, the America's Polo Cup will be between INDIA & the UNITED STATES. Please join me in this cultural celebration of politics, diplomacy, fashion, sports, entertainment & family fun". Significantly, the Salahi couple did not figure in the list of expected attendees which was released to the press by the White House. According to that list, Indian officials who were Obama's guests for that dinner included foreign secretary Nirupama Rao, deputy chief of mission in US Arun K Singh, MEA joint secretary (Americas) Ms Gaitri Kumar and personal secretaries Indian PM Jaideep Sarkar and I S Chaturvedi. The guest list also included some of the top Indian corporate leaders such as Mukesh D Ambani of Reliance Industries and Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata. Now, an investigation has begun to find out how the couple managed to enter the venue which was highly protected, and every guest had to go through a security screening. US media commentators wondered how Michaele Salahi, who was not invited at all, could go upto Vice President of America and hugged him, a picture of which was also posted in various sites. Joint Secretary Shashi Bhushan to depose on sanction to prosecute Kasab The court handling the case of Mumbai attack, or 26/11, issued summons to Shashi Bhushan, joint secretary (Judicial) in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), to appear as witness and give details about sanction given to prosecute Pakistani gunman Ajmal Kasab and two others on charges of "waging war against the nation". The sanction of the Central government is required as the criminal conspiracy was hatched outside India. Bhushan had earlier granted sanction to prosecute Kasab and two others in connection with 26/11, media reports said.

1 comment:

  1. that news on gatecrashing by the celebrity couple was already a news item, but the diva's rubbing shoulders with our babu is a new spicy bit-- indeed bureaucracy has so much "charm"!!!
    rameek

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