US President Barack Obama seen chewing gum at R-day parade

NEW DELHI: US President Barack Obama was today seen chewing gum at the Republic Day parade, where he was the chief guest.

Pictures of the event showed him chewing gum and then removing it while Prime Minister Narendra Modi was talking to him.

Though there was a lot of commentary on social media on his chewing gum at a formal ceremony, this was not the first time Obama has been spotted doing so.

Comments on twitter included remarks by famous author Shobha De, who said, "Barack bhai working his jaws overtime and chewing gum! At least it isn't gutka. But seriously - gum during a formal parade?".

"Glad to see @BarackObama is so human. Like most Americans, he chews gum. Anyone know what brand?," was how noted film-maker Shekhar Kapur reacted.

American media in past has commented about Obama's habit of chewing gum while referring to his medical report, according to which the US President was in excellent health except for a minor problem of "history of smoking".

But Obama was now "tobacco free" buoyed by the "occasional use" of "Nicotine Gum", said a report in Washington Post.