Date:15/07/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/07/15/stories/2004071505130400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Pancha kattu gets a pat

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, JULY 14. The typically Andhra attire that the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, sports every day has charmed none less than the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

As Mr. Kalam stepped down from the Presidential aircraft, Rajhans, at the Hyderabad airport on Wednesday morning, he was greeted by the Governor, Surjit Singh Barnala, Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy and a host of other dignitaries.

"You are looking very elegant, Reddy garu," Mr. Kalam exclaimed as the Chief Minister welcomed him and enquired in broken Telugu: "is this not pancha kattu?" (sartorial style of wrapping the dhoti around). The Chief Minister was floored by the informal way of greeting from the Head of the State.