`I wished to have stayed here for some more time’

The working-dinner at the Oberoi, black-tea with a dash of honey, a Ganpati idol presented by Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, tete-e-tete with young entrepreneurs, a raas-garba performance and, of course, Jazzy Joe playing the saxophone… It was a memorable experience for the Clintons in Mumbai.

To add to the joy of the handsome US President and his beautiful daughter, Chelsea, was a gift from the country’s oldest antique shop – Philips – which was established more than a century ago. And not to forget the memorable evening at Asia’s oldest bourse – the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Curiously, Clinton inquired about the lord. The Chief Minister happily explained the significance and when they shook hands both said: Let Lord Ganesha bless us to serve the common cause to alleviate poverty and work towards a cleaner environment and better healthcare.

What he perhaps enjoyed most was the pleasant stay at the Kohinoor Suite situated on the 21st floor of the Oberoi. He liked the landscape of Mumbai dotted with skyrises along the Marine Drive, also known as Queen’s Necklace, aka Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Marg.

The Clintons also enjoyed the food. "Clinton asked for taste of India – and we are happy that we served it."

A senior hotel staff said that Clinton chose to have a ‘working-dinner’ which included Tandoori paneer pasanda kabab, Paneer aur mutter ki tikki, Amritsari seekh, Murg tikka Kandhari, Sizzler salad, Falafal, small portion of Spanish veg paella, sea-food, Elfi bananas, Alphanso mangoes, Simla apple, Kiwifruit and Strawberry.

The delicious Alphanso – the king of mangoes – is what was most relished by Clinton. The President was informed about the quality of Alphanso – which is mostly exported from the Konkan region in Maharashtra. "And really, Clinton enjoyed that," said a hotel staff.

How can the Clintons forget the evening at the Cafe Royal – situated a stone’s throw distance away from the Gateway of India – a historical landmark. "Clinton ordered a black tea dashed with honey," the proud owner of the cafe, Farzad Jehani told UNI here. The cafe is famous for continental food and sizzlers – and often patronised by US Consulate officials – and this was perhaps the reason for selecting the hotel.

MUMBAI: US President Bill Clinton ended his eventful five-day visit to India with a priceless gift from the Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, an idol of Lord Ganesha.

Deshmukh said that Clinton accepted the elephant-headed-lord, and added that he was very curiously enquired about the lord. The Chief Minsiter said that Lord Ganesh is the presiding diety of the State. The lord is a symbol of knowledge, prosperity and destroyer of all evils, he informed.

When they shook hands both said, "let Lord Ganesha bless us to serve the common cause to alleviate poverty and work towards a cleaner environemnt and better healthcare." Deshmukh also said that he had a one-to-one meeting with the US President and appraised him of the general investment scenario in the State.