India Removes Coconuts from Trees to Protect Obama

This was reported on a British paper. The former colonial overlord of India seems to be amused.

Coconuts removed from trees in preparation for Barack Obama's India trip (11/4/2010 Telegraph UK)

India is preparing for Barack Obama's first visit to the country by removing coconuts from palm trees in Mumbai to protect the US president.

Mr Obama will arrive in India on Saturday for the first leg of an Asian tour.

But as well as the usual security measures that come with welcoming a a visiting dignitary, Indian authorities have decided to go one step further, by removing all natural threats to the president as well.

All coconuts around the city's Gandhi museum, one of Mr Obama's stops in the city, are being taken down.

Mani Bhavan, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his freedom struggle against the British, is among five places the US president is visiting in Mumbai.

"We told the authorities to remove the dry coconuts from trees near the building. Why take a chance?" Mani Bhavan's executive secretary, Meghshyam Ajgaonkar, told the BBC.

Why take a chance, indeed! While they are at it, why don't they remove all those people living and working in Mumbai, too? There may be a "terrorist" or two among them. Why take a chance?

34 warships including a aircraft carrier will protect him from the coast of Mumbai. If Obama trips over a banana, Mumbai will be bombed into oblivion.

$200 million per day? Make it double at least.

Tweet