Protocol jitters

President Pratibha Patil gave protocol jitters as she inadvertently passed the tricolour at the ceremonial reception without bowing but quickly went back after her attention was drawn by the Mexican Guard Commander. Patil, who was inspecting a guard of honour by the Mexican Presidential Guards, walked past the Mexican flag without realising that her Mexican counterpart Felipe Calderon had stopped to pay respect to his country’s flag. The President then moved ahead without stopping before the Indian flag. “Madam President…,” the Guard Commander called out and Patil quickly retraced her steps and honoured the tricolour.