This is something very different from what we have seen so far in Antarctica. We are expecting royalty here. Prince Albert II, the head of state of the Principality of Monaco is visiting Maitri on 21st Jan 09. Actually, he can visit Maitri any time between 15th and 21st Jan.
The Prince is visiting 26 stations in Antarctica all this month. Currently he is at the south pole, visiting the US station, Amundsen Scott. The purpose of his visit is to raise awareness about global warming and to gain first hand knowledge about the effect of global warming in Antarctica.
This visit has us all in tenterhooks at Maitri. Though the prince is visiting us for just about 2 hours, but everything is being planned to perfection for the last one month. Gifts, eatables, wine and champagne for the prince and his entourage have arrived from Cape Town and India last month, so have the national flags. The projector bulb that was lying dysfunctional has been replaced overnight. It was purchased from Cape Town at exorbitant cost.
Scientific presentations are being practiced and refined everyday. Every minute of the prince’s stay here and his every move is being planned meticulously. A massive cleanup drive is underway. The rocky area is being cleared and paths are being made to make the walk to and from the station comfortable for him. The greenhouse has been cleared and bears a new flooring. This is a welcome change from the earlier storehouse appearance it bore. The team has been divided into groups to streamline things. Not everyone will come to the lounge to avoid overcrowding. Only 3 people have been authorised to take photographs. There will be no individual photographs with the prince, just one group photograph. The newly installed ionosonde experiment of National Physical Research Laboratory will be inaugurated by the prince. Therefore, the hut has been renovated fully and is being constantly upgraded.
All this is really painstaking stuff just probably a few days before our departure.
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