Modi plays guide to Xi at Sabarmati Ashram

Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi played the role of a spirited guide Wednesday as he took Chinese President Xi Jinping around the historic Sabarmati Ashram here, the place which had been the epicentre of Mahatma Gandhi's activities for many years.

Modi, who arrived at the ashram 10 minutes before Xi, was seen interacting with children until the visiting dignitary arrived.

Modi and Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel accorded a warm welcome to Xi and garlanded him with khadi threads.

The prime minister accompanied Xi along the red carpet leading to the ashram, often interacting with the Chinese president with the help of interpreters.

As the two leaders roamed around in the different compartments while 'bhajans' were sung by children, Modi took special interest in describing to his guest about Mahatma Gandhi's personal belongings.

At one point, Modi stopped to read out an inscription to Xi, who had changed to an off white Khadi jacket and shirt suiting the serene place from where Mahatma Gandhi had commenced the famous "Dandi March" March 12, 1930.

The jacket had been presented to Xi earlier in the day by the prime minister.

The march, which Mahatma Gandhi embarked on along with 78 of his companions, was an unprecedented and unique way to protest against the British salt law.

Modi guided Xi to the black and white photograph exhibition on the Indian freedom struggle, to the personal room of Mahatma Gandhi's wife Kasturba Gandhi and then to Hriday Kunj, where the Chinese dignitary removed his shoes and sat on the floor to spin the "Charkha".

The Hruday Kunj - with its elegant, airy and simple architecture - is the place where Mahatma Gandhi spent a good period of time.

Besides, Xi paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi's statue and garlanded his portrait in one of the chambers in the ashram.

The Chinese president wrote down his impressions in the visitor's book of the ashram as the hymn "Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram" was being sung in the background.

The prime minister presented to Xi a book on Mahatma Gandhi - "Gandhi in Amdavad" - published by the ashram, a replica of Mahatma Gandhi's "Charkha" and a picture of Mahatma Gandhi's famous Dandi March.

The ashram was built June 17, 1917, on a piece of land on the bank of the Sabarmati river.