NEWSLINKS
US EDITION
COLUMNISTS
DIARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ELECTION 99
ELECTIONS
ARCHIVES

Search Rediff

Chelsea may visit Santushti shopping complex

Swapna Khanna in New Delhi

The upmarket Santushti Shopping Arcade in New Delhi, under the ministry of defence, is gearing up for a visit by Chelsea Clinton, who is expected to go around the complex with other members of the Clinton entourage on Tuesday.

"Santusti is popular with the entire foreign community," Santushti Association vice-president Bhai Balbir Singh said. "We didn't want to lose the opportunity, so we asked the US ambassador's wife to bring her here."

"The entire complex has been draped in the US and Indian flags. The shops have dressed up their windows with Welcome signs and stocked up on merchandise. We also plan to provide music for the complex, with the air force or navy band."

The association also plans to put up banners near all major hotels and in the neighbourhood with both the American and Indian flags.

As the visit is just after the Holi festival, they plan to have hostesses shower petals on all visitors to the complex on that day.

The defence ministry has been extending all possible co-operation, said Rekha Dutt, president of the Santushti Association.

The staff of the complex is very enthusiastic about the visit, though there are some who don't seem to care much. Renu, one of the employees of a store in the complex, complained, "I had planned to go to Simla, but have had to cut short my trip." But Savita, another employee, said, "Because of Chelsea we are expecting a lot more people."

Staffers in a high-profile fashion store said, "We are preparing for the visit. The store has been redecorated, making it more colourful and giving it a more traditional look, because we do expect her to visit us." The iron board displaying the store's name was being polished, as was the floor.

Another store specialising in children's garments was also being redone, but the staff said, "It is not because of her visit, it is a regular feature here."

Balbir Singh, who owns a jewellery shop specialising in white gold, said, "We intend to present Ms Chelsea a silver bracelet studded with rubies."

With almost everything set, the complex is now just waiting with bated breath, hoping that Chelsea Clinton does finally come acalling.

CLINTON VISITS INDIA : The complete coverage

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report