At President's fingertips: Ambedkar, Chandni Chowk
Shekhar Iyer, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, November 08, 2010First Published: 21:48 IST(8/11/2010)
Surely, there were no scenes of MPs climbing over benches in
Parliament's Central Hall to shake hands with the world's most
powerful leader. But, by the time he uttered Jai Hind to wrap up his
35-minute address, US President Barack Obama had sold his vision of
India and must have created a record of sorts: several rounds of
applause — almost one every minute — and a standing ovation that
showed the success of his final charm offensive.
Obama uttered every word that a distinguished gathering present at the
House wanted to hear.
From Indian contribution of zero to Panchatantra and Gandhiji to
Ambedkar, Obama spun his argument to drive home "the promise of India"
and why India will have to shoulder greater responsibility with
greater power and "put aside old habits and attitudes" that keep
people apart.
Beginning with bahut dhanyavad in Hindi for the warm hospitality he
and Michelle Obama received, Obama struck a warm chord with his tone
of humility.
"I am mindful that I might not be standing before you, as President of
the United States, had it not been for Gandhiji and the message he
shared with America and the world," said Obama as he traced Mahatma's
influence on civil rights leader Martin Luther King.
Speaking with the help of a teleprompter, Obama reached out to the masses.
"Whether you live in a village in Punjab or the bylanes of Chandni
Chowk...an old section of Kolkata or a new high-rise in Bangalore —
every person deserves the same chance to live in security and dignity,
to get an education, to find work, and to give their children a better
future."
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