US envoy Richard Verma visits ancestral home in Jalandhar

JALANDHAR: US Ambassador to India Richard Rahul Verma today paid an emotional visit to his maternal grandmother's house here and met the current owners residing in the building.

A narrow lane leads to the house in Basti Shekh area where the envoy's grandmother Maya Devi lived and where his mother was born.

On his second day of Punjab visit, the envoy was welcomed with drumbeats and celebrations in the village.

The house is now owned by couple Rakesh Gupta and Priya Gupta. Verma also had a meeting with them which lasted 20 minutes and media persons were not allowed.

"We were very excited about his visit. We never thought a big personality like him would ever visit us," said Priya Gupta after the meeting. She said they had purchased the house from the envoy's grandmother who used to be a teacher.

Verma's maternal uncle (cousin) informed he had visited the village once in his childhood also. The ambassador also met a local shopkeeper Ram who had helped him locate the house.

Verma is also likely to visit the school where his grandmother used to teach. He would then visit Apara village, some 50 km from the district headquarters, where his father lived. He is also slated to take part in convocation at local DAV college where his parents had met.

Verma will also attend a CII meet in the evening.