Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, known in Europe for his controversial political stances, was spotted vacationing in Kerala, a picturesque state in southern India.
Initially shrouded in secrecy, the visit sparked international interest and speculation about his health, possible travel expenses and the presence of a mysterious Ayurvedic practitioner in his entourage.
On January 4, the four autos dutifully lined up at Calvathy, along with other escort vehicles and ambulances. Viktor and his two daughters boarded Hussain’s auto, while his security
team followed in the other three.
When Siddique Hussain, a 53-year-old auto driver in Kochi’s Calvathy got a call earlier this month from Kochi’s Fragrant Nature hotel for rickshaws, he thought nothing of it. It was not unusual for him to get such a call from tourists who wanted to transport Kochi and Kochi to Kochi Fort. But when he was asked to go through security, he realised who his guest was: Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán,
who was on holiday in Kerala with his wife and two youngest daughters.
“Two days before the trip, I got a call from a hotel at Fort Kochi. The hotel manager told me that the prime minister, his wife and two daughters, will be coming and they want three-wheelers for sightseeing. The hotel asked for four auto-rickshaws,” he said.
According to sources at the hotel, the European leader wanted a tuk-tuk, “because it is very good for sightseeing in Fort Kochi”.
“Several tourists go by auto rickshaw, but this is the first time such a VVIP had opted for the three-wheeler. We followed all protocol and security measures,” a source at the hotel said.
The security protocols included a thorough check by a bomb squad, inspection of the vehicle’s documents and a thorough vetting of the drivers.
On January 4, the four autos dutifully lined up at Calvathy, along with other escort vehicles and ambulances. Viktor and his two daughters boarded Hussain’s auto, while his security team followed in the other three.
Orban also said that he was visiting Kochi as Vasco da Gama, whom he loved as a favourite explorer, died in Kochi. He also said that another reason for opting India for vacation was that India’s economy is on the verge of explosive development.
