As part of the recent ‘In Residence’ programme launched in December 2013, award-winning novelist Amitav Ghosh was invited to live in the Rashtrapati Bhavan from 10th – 14th July. The literary giant is currently enjoying his stay as the Writer-In-Residence at the Rastrapati Bhavan along with his wife.
The programme was launched to encourage writers in India, both young and old, and inspire them with fresh impulses to write. The program is also aimed at giving eminent personalities and artists an opportunity to observe and live the way of life that is followed inside Rashtrapati Bhawan. Ghosh is the 140th visitor in a long list of artists, including writers, sculptors, painters etc.
Ghosh has been tweeting non-stop about his discoveries in the presidential residence, and frankly it is quite interesting to see how the first family of India stays at Raisina Hill.
He started with this anticipatory tweet before his stay, which started on 10th July:
Looking forward to our stint as writers-in-residence at Rashtrapati Bhavan; will be an honour to be there. https://t.co/iC6WbGByr8
— Amitav Ghosh (@GhoshAmitav) July 8, 2016
His first tweet from Rasthrapati Bhawan appeared sombre:
Rajpath, New Delhi, from Rashtrapati Bhavan; looking towards India Gate pic.twitter.com/DP0itjndAP
— Amitav Ghosh (@GhoshAmitav) July 10, 2016
Ghosh tweeted a picture of the famous sculpture inside the Bhawan:
Rampurva Bull Capital, from Ashokan pillar, 2nd century BC, polished sandstone, Rashtrapati Bhavan pic.twitter.com/jR2xiJbXfJ
— Amitav Ghosh (@GhoshAmitav) July 10, 2016
This tweet made everyone who watched the Wimbledon at their regular homes, rue their luck:
Just in case you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to watch Wimbledon in rooms where leaders & statesmen have slept… pic.twitter.com/kLRQv6TPXm
— Amitav Ghosh (@GhoshAmitav) July 10, 2016
The Presidential luncheon with Pranab Mukherjee and daughter Sharmistha:
Such an honour and pleasure for us to have lunch with President Pranab Mukherjee and his daughter @Sharmistha_GK pic.twitter.com/JAnJEwPk3C
— Amitav Ghosh (@GhoshAmitav) July 11, 2016
After the lunch, even Sharmistha Mukherjee tweeted a picture with the Ghosh couple:
It was an honour to meet one of the most brilliant writers of our time @GhoshAmitav & his wife Deborah pic.twitter.com/vF5uEyq1Om
— Sharmistha Mukherjee (@Sharmistha_GK) July 11, 2016
Here’s how the President’s body guards’ quarters look like:
Enjoyed visiting the stables of the President’s Body Guard at Rashtrapati Bhavan … pic.twitter.com/fDougwdW6n
— Amitav Ghosh (@GhoshAmitav) July 11, 2016
Meet Vikrant. We bet you did not know that he is leader of the ceremonial parades:
This is Vikrant; he leads the ceremonial parades. pic.twitter.com/rJPndprlY8
— Amitav Ghosh (@GhoshAmitav) July 11, 2016
Ghosh also tweeted pictures of the President’s guards:
Some members of the President’s Body Guard pic.twitter.com/sNFR2AUKTe
— Amitav Ghosh (@GhoshAmitav) July 11, 2016
The writer, whose latest book deals with climate change and the environment, seems fairly impressed by the sewage treatment mechanism at the Bhavan:
Great to see the beautifully designed sewage treatment complex at Rastrapati Bhavan. Why don’t hotels etc have them? pic.twitter.com/R1OA8QZgG6
— Amitav Ghosh (@GhoshAmitav) July 12, 2016
He couldn’t stop gushing about it:
The sewage treatment complex at Rastrapati Bhavan also has a fine (and productive) constructed wetland. pic.twitter.com/hckE5xR0iQ
— Amitav Ghosh (@GhoshAmitav) July 12, 2016
Ghosh gives us a little bit of trivia too:
Amazing to find oneself at the table where Nelson Mandela breakfasted during his stay at Rashtrapati Bhavan pic.twitter.com/EAA2nlpkp6
— Amitav Ghosh (@GhoshAmitav) July 13, 2016
The writer was also all praises for the vegetation in the Bhavan grounds:
Great to find that sustainable, drought-resistant millets are grown on a part of Rashtrapati Bhavan’s grounds pic.twitter.com/b7JrcB4R9r
— Amitav Ghosh (@GhoshAmitav) July 13, 2016
With another day to go, we are hoping Amitav Ghosh will unveil some more hidden gems from within the decadent walls of the Rashtrapati Bhavan for us to relish.
(Feature Image Source: PTI)