By Jilawatan

At a time when there is a virtual scramble for first State Dinner of US President Barack Obama on November 24 in honour of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a US news outlet has come out with its own top 10 wish list of the invitees.

Topping the list released by Politico – known for coverage of the Capitol Hill and the White House – is top industrialist Mukesh Ambani, who met the President early this year. He is followed by writer-turn activist Arundhati Roy.

“As India has assumed a larger role on the global stage, Roy has spoken out against globalisation, Indian poverty and the country’s nuclear weapons programme — though she has often stirred up controversy,” Politico said and put Thomas Friedman, author of ‘The World is Flat’ next on the list, followed by Bollywood stars Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

By Jilawatan

It has been dubbed the hottest ticket in town. More than what President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be holding forth when they meet here on next Tuesday, the buzz is all about who all will be invited to the first White House state dinner in honour of the Indian PM – and what the menu is like.

As the White House keeps the cards close to its chest, the well-regarded the ‘Politico’ journal has done what it apparently regards as the next best by publishing its own ‘wish list’ of the top 10 guests.

Topping the journal’s wish list is Mukesh Ambani and it includes, among others, writer Arundhati Roy, India buff Thomas Friedman, Bollywood couple Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Gandhiji’s grandson Gopalkrishna Gandhi, General Electric boss Jeffrey Immelt, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Kansas lawmaker Raj Goyle and former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.