Obama wishes to take some Indian horses and camels back home

While entering the majestic Rashtrapati Bhavan today for a ceremonial welcome, Obama was visibly impressed by the smart turnout of the elite Presidential Body Guards (PBG) who escorted him to the forecourt where he was received by President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

During his chit-chat with the President, the visiting dignitary praised the PBGs and said in a lighter vein that he wants to take home some camels and horses to the US, enough to bring smiles to the hosts, officials accompanying the VVIPs said.

Obama, the sixth US President to visit India, could not let his eyes off the grandeur of Rashtrapati Bhavan and the ceremonial reception presented by the mounted cavalry.

He was welcomed by 30 camel-mounted BSF personnel who had playing bugles and trumpets yesterday during a private dinner being hosted in his honour by the Prime Minister at his Race Course road residence.

Obama had described the rendering of the music by the Camel band as "spectacular".