Putin feels 'good to be at Taj'

By Anita Joshua

AGRA, OCT. 4. Awed by the lyric in marble that is the Taj Mahal, the President of the Russian Federation, Mr. Vladimir V. Putin, today saw in the historic monument of love an opportunity to reaffirm the pride his country takes in its long friendship with India.

Signing in the Visitor's Book at the end of his 40- minute visit to the Taj here this afternoon, he noted that India should be proud of its share in world heritage and added that ``we in Russia are proud of having such friends''.

Mr. Putin's stopover at Agra was in effect his only break in an otherwise hectic visit. And he was dressed for the occasion, abandoning the official suit for a more casual pair of trousers and T-shirt. Accompanied by his wife, Ms. Lyudmila Putina, and an entourage of 35, the Russian President flew into the City of the Taj at 2-10 p.m.

Driven straight to the sprawling monument complex, the Presidential delegation switched over to the battery-operated bus at Shilpgram on the eastern end to reach the main gate to the Taj. The moment the first couple of Russia stepped through the three-storey gateway, the fountains along the well-laid gardens leading to the ``poetry in stone'' were turned on as if on cue to welcome the visiting dignitary.

For a leisurely five minutes, the Putins stood under the gateway while an Indian tour guide - speaking in Russian - explained the architectural highlights of the monument.

Then, refusing to be hurried away towards the marble structure by his securitymen, Mr. Putin obliged photographers for a few seconds before walking away towards the monument.

Putting on his dark glasses as he walked the 275-metre-long pathway from the gateway to the Taj, Mr.Putin stopped midway to ascend the platform for the customary ``photo- op'' at ``Lover's Bench''.

At the insistence of lensmen, he made his wife sit close to him for ``the perfect picture of a romantic couple in front of the monument of love'' and even remarked in English that it felt ``good to be at the Taj''.

With these words, the entourage proceeded on the rest of their tour of the Taj. Once inside, Mr. Putin was apparently full of questions.

According to his guide, Mr. Ravi Sharma, ``both were very curious about the inlay work; they also wanted to know about the legends associated with it including the Black Taj and Shahjahan chopping off the hands of the artisans to prevent them from recreating this marvel in stone.''

As is the case with most VVIP visits, the basement section - which is now out-of-bounds for the general public - was opened to allow the Putins an opportunity to see the actual crypt of Mumtaz Mahal.

Stepping out of the cool interiors, the visitors then walked around the Taj and evinced keen interest in the Jasmine Tower inside Agra Fort from where Shahjahan used to watch his ``expression of love''.

Walking back to the gateway, all a beaming Mr. Putin said was that the experience was ``good'' and the Taj was ``beautiful'' - a description he reiterated in his entry in the Visitor's Book, adding that India ``should be proud of its cultural heritage''.

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