French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s one-hour visit to Taj Mahal on Saturday afternoon was “unforgettable”, he wrote in the visitors’ book.
All the speculation about model and Sarkozy’s love Carla Bruni accompanying him to the ‘monument of love’ came to nothing and the French President had to tour the monument with security personnel.
Sarkozy was welcomed by government officials at Keria Technical Air Port. Heavy security arrangements were made along the route leading from the airport to the Taj.
Entry to visitors was restricted and ticket counters closed before noon. There was a huge crowd outside Taj Mahal on the occasion of Republic Day. Ticket sales began again at 3.00 pm after the French President left for the airport.
Sarkozy was accompanied by a 30-member delegation. “He stayed here for about an hour and said it was an ‘unforgettable’ experience,” an official said.
“Security arrangements were stepped up amidst speculations that Sarkozy would be accompanied by Bruni. However, the crowd was very well behaved and we did not have any law and order problems,” the official added.