PM watched parade on TV

Two days after undergoing a heart-bypass surgery, Manmohan Singh spent Monday morning watching the live telecast of the parade. He could not watch the whole parade, though, as he is still in the cardiac care unit, reports Jaya Shroff Bhalla.

For the first time ever, the prime minister of India watched the Republic Day parade on TV.

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Two days after undergoing a heart-bypass surgery, Manmohan Singh spent Monday morning watching the live telecast of the parade. He could not watch the whole parade, though, as he is still in the cardiac care unit (CCU).

Singh got up from bed on Monday and ate semi-solid food, including porridge.

“He was made to sit on a wheelchair and wheeled back and forth in the corridor outside the VVIP room at about 7.30 am,” said a PMO official, who did not want to be named because he is not allowed to talk to the media.

“Since he was taken of the ventilator at 1 am on Sunday morning, his condition is continuously progressing. We are hope to discharge him another 4-5 days, but he needs some rest before he can resume office,” said Dr K. Srinath Reddy, the prime minister’s cardiologist. Most of the medical equipment supporting his heart has also been removed. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Planning Commission Chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia visited AIIMS and spoke to his family, but did not meet him as he is still in CCU and is not allowed visitors.