On Monday, the credibility of the Indian media took a beating. Contrary to what appeared in the morning papers-that a thoughtful Rashtrapati Bhavan had set up waterproof shamianas for guests and reporters invited for the oath-taking ceremony of Narendra Modi and his council of minister- there were no shamianas, waterproof or otherwise.
Even as the sun beat down fiercely over the Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt, gaggles of reporters were the first to reach the venue. For a ceremony that began at 6 pm, they were already at the venue at 3.30 pm. Umbrellas were handed out to guests who had arrived early; these were politely taken back before the ceremony started.
The arrival of the first set of guests added to the ceremony's somewhat surreal feel: after shimmering on the horizon, the ambassador of Iceland walked in, resplendent in a black suit, with double brass buttons.
Within five minutes of sitting in the relentless sun, he took off his jacket.
A large contingent of industry leaders arrived fairly early, among them some who owed large sums to public sector banks and sought their loans be restructured. Many of them sat in enclosures meant for the personal guests of top leaders.
Telecom giant Vinay Rai, infrastructure czar Ajit Gulabchand, and the pharma sector's Malvinder and Shivinder Singh were there. Also present were Kumar Mangalam Birla, Hari Bhartia, Kishore Biyani, Uday Kotak and Sunil Alag. The two Ambani brothers were present along with their children, wives and mother Kokilaben.
Rarely has such a galaxy of industry leaders been seen at the swearing-in of a prime minister.
Sunil Gavaskar, chief of Board of Control for Cricket in India, was present; cricketer Sachin Tendulkar wasn't. Actor Rekha and singer Lata Mangeshkar, too, were absent.
Pandit Channu Lal Mishra was there, bowing his head contemplatively after the bank played the national anthem.
At the ceremony, Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan rubbed shoulders with spiritual gurus Morari Bapu and Sri Sri Ravishankar.
UK High Commissioner Sir James Bevan sat in the last row in the section meant for diplomatic guests. One of the first to arrive, former sports minister M S Gill, part of the United Progressive Alliance government, demanded the staff take him to the enclosure meant for ex-ministers.
As Sonia Gandhi walked in, the loudest applause came from the diplomatic rows. The most perfunctory applause was for former president Pratibha Devisingh Patil.
Seated at the back, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh, one of those credited with the BJP's stellar show in the state, pretty much slept through the entire ceremony, including when Kalraj Mishra, another party leader from the state, took oath.
Upon seeing Telugu Desam Party chief Chandrababu Naidu, former finance minister P Chidambaram hugged him, in a rare show of appreciation.
A few slogans of "Jai Sri Ram" were heard, but these were relatively subdued.
If there was galawat ke kabab and chicken on the menu, it was a well kept secret - all the aam aadmi was offered were imarti, kachauri and curry puffs.
