US President Donald Trump's daughter and advisor Ivanka Trump and other delegates of Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) on Tuesday attended a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Taj Falaknuma in Hyderabad.
Modi, Telangana Governor E. S. L. Narasimhan, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and some top politicians and industrialists dined with Ivanka on the 101-seater dining table at the palace hotel. The guests were treated to a variety of delicacies, including the famous Hyderabadi biryani. For other GES delegates, the dinner was arranged in the hotel lounges.
Image courtesy: US Embassy India/Twitter
Image courtesy: US Embassy India/Twitter
Image courtesy: US Embassy India/Twitter
Image courtesy: Taj Falaknuma/Twitter
Image courtesy: Mohid Quadri/Twitter
Image courtesy: Mohid Quadri/Twitter
Image courtesy: Mohid Quadri/Twitter
Image courtesy: Otara Gunawardene/Twitter
Ivanka received royal treatment as horse-drawn carriage of the Nizam era ferried her from the main gate to the palace atop the hill. She and other guests were greeted with a rose petal shower on entering the palace.
Dahi ke kebab, gosht shikampuri kebab, kubani ke malai kofta, murgpista ka salan and sitaphal kulfi were some of the delicacies of five-course menu served at Tuesday's dinner hosted by Modi for Ivanka and other GES delegates at the Taj Falaknuma.
The Palace's team of culinary experts, led by Executive Chef Sajesh Nair, presented a five-course menu inspired by Hyderabadi, Telangana and Nizami cuisine.
Aghaz (soup), Mezban (appetizers), Waqfa (sorbet), Mashgool Dastarkhwan (main course) and Zauq-e-shahi (dessert) were the courses served.
The signature menu also gave the distinguished guests a taste of rare Indian ingredients such as sandalwood, saffron and figs, said the palace hotel.
"Our chefs have worked tirelessly to recreate a unique dining experience from the Nizam's kitchen and we are certain to create memories for PM Modi and Ms Trump that will last a lifetime," said Ritesh Sharma, GM, Taj Falaknuma Palace.
The table decor was inspired by the rich cultural heritage of the Deccan region.
Rare artefacts and silver decorative pieces were brought in from the Nizam's private collection at Chowmahalla Palace; while all upholstery used during the dinner was made with locally sourced fabrics such as Ikkat, Teliya and Velvet.
Ivanka Trump's welcome ritual began with a traditional 'aarti' and lighting of the lamp ceremony. All dignitaries to the glittering event were also welcomed with local 'mogras' and rose flowers.
The elaborate dining set up was laid out with the palace's premium collection of glassware and silverware, along with personalised menus for each guest.
A gong was played to signify the beginning of each course and a personal butler served each of the 101 diners.
The White House advisor also went around the palace, which was once the residence of the Nizam, the ruler of erstwhile princely State of Hyderabad.
They all reached the palace after the inauguration of GES at Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC). Elaborate security arrangements were made as the palace is located in the old city of Hyderabad and is surrounded by densely populated neighbourhoods.
With IANS inputs