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| Why India’s Narendra Modi may not eat at the White House dinner | Why India’s Narendra Modi may not eat at the White House dinner |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| NEW DELHI -- Ronald Reagan famously said once: “All great change in America begins at the dinner table.” | NEW DELHI -- Ronald Reagan famously said once: “All great change in America begins at the dinner table.” |
| What if the dinner plate of the guest of honor is empty? | What if the dinner plate of the guest of honor is empty? |
| Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the United States later this week, his first trip to this country after his party won a resounding victory in May. It is a visit that has been a long time coming and one that both nations hope will reboot U.S.-India relations. | Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the United States later this week, his first trip to this country after his party won a resounding victory in May. It is a visit that has been a long time coming and one that both nations hope will reboot U.S.-India relations. |
| Modi, who will address the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Saturday and speak before a large gathering at Madison Square Garden, was expected to attend a White House private dinner on Monday. | |
| But now there is a new twist in the tale. | But now there is a new twist in the tale. |
| Modi, a devout Hindu, is observing the annual nine-day religious fast called Navratri, an auspicious period in the Hindu calendar that also marks the coming of autumn. No, this is not about dietary restrictions. For Modi, this is a strict no-food fast. | Modi, a devout Hindu, is observing the annual nine-day religious fast called Navratri, an auspicious period in the Hindu calendar that also marks the coming of autumn. No, this is not about dietary restrictions. For Modi, this is a strict no-food fast. |
| Fasting Hindus follow a fruit-only fast, or avoid meat, or get by with only one meal a day during this nine-day period. Some avoid onion, garlic and alcohol, as well. But Modi, who is a devotee of Hindu mother goddess Durga and a strict vegetarian and teetotaller, follows the strictest form of abstinence. Since the 1970s, he has observed water-only fasts. | Fasting Hindus follow a fruit-only fast, or avoid meat, or get by with only one meal a day during this nine-day period. Some avoid onion, garlic and alcohol, as well. But Modi, who is a devotee of Hindu mother goddess Durga and a strict vegetarian and teetotaller, follows the strictest form of abstinence. Since the 1970s, he has observed water-only fasts. |
| In a blog in 2012, Modi wrote: | In a blog in 2012, Modi wrote: |
| Yes, I have been fasting during Navratri for over 35 years now. This fast is never to seek anything but an act of self-purification. Fasts such as this have been a source of strength, power and inspiration for me over the last many years. | Yes, I have been fasting during Navratri for over 35 years now. This fast is never to seek anything but an act of self-purification. Fasts such as this have been a source of strength, power and inspiration for me over the last many years. |
| Yes, I have been fasting during Navratri for over 35 years now. This fast is never to seek anything but an act of self-purification. Fasts such as this have been a source of strength, power and inspiration for me over the last many years. | Yes, I have been fasting during Navratri for over 35 years now. This fast is never to seek anything but an act of self-purification. Fasts such as this have been a source of strength, power and inspiration for me over the last many years. |
| “For Modi, this is not a religious ritual; it is a spiritual tool for introspection and cleansing,” said Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, author of the book "Narendra Modi: The Man, The Times." “For him, the fast is a personal journey inward. But knowing Modi, he will also convert it into an opportunity to tell Americans how strong he is from the inside.” | “For Modi, this is not a religious ritual; it is a spiritual tool for introspection and cleansing,” said Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, author of the book "Narendra Modi: The Man, The Times." “For him, the fast is a personal journey inward. But knowing Modi, he will also convert it into an opportunity to tell Americans how strong he is from the inside.” |
| Is this a dietary or diplomatic challenge for the White House? The White House staff has organized kosher meals and has catered to accommodate the dietary preferences of other world leaders before. | Is this a dietary or diplomatic challenge for the White House? The White House staff has organized kosher meals and has catered to accommodate the dietary preferences of other world leaders before. |
| “I can say that it never happened in the 11 years that I was there,” said Walter Scheib, former White House chef. “I will also say that the White House staff and the first families will go out of their way to provide a gracious and hospitable visit to all guests. I’m certain that the prime minister will be cared for and all of his needs will be satisfied.” | “I can say that it never happened in the 11 years that I was there,” said Walter Scheib, former White House chef. “I will also say that the White House staff and the first families will go out of their way to provide a gracious and hospitable visit to all guests. I’m certain that the prime minister will be cared for and all of his needs will be satisfied.” |