He stored his astuteness for the' D' Day rather ' P' day that is parliament day. He spoke eloquently, impressively, forcefully, and earned standing ovation. He spoke more or less as fervently as he did in his election campaign days. His early years in Asia probably taught him how to read Asians. He struck the right chords. We were happy about references about Pakistan and promised support for our distant United nations permanent seat. He was presented a gold chain by the charmed M.P from Andhra Pradesh. What an accolade ! kind of royal patronage.
Barack Obama, the president of America landed three days ago in Mumbai. Carefully masking the electoral blues back home with his signature broad grin, he descended the aircraft in a chosen less traveled run way bordering tin roofed slums, passing heaps of mud dug out.The lives of the ceremonious have become dearer with the passage time. The security concerns were too many. He went on with his carefully scripted schedule despite jet logs. The couple were appearing like flashes in between rigid security levels. The speeches,meetings, signatures, dances, all looked too formal. The short speeches were cautiously worded and sounded too louder than the content. The day2 teleconference with villagers as in the 'must do' list was ritualistic as though proximity with the people in India is too dangerous. Then came the student's meet. The hand picked students who looked less problematic truly turned problematic posing embarrassing questions to the President. The answers were long, rhetoric. Till then the interactions were marked by missing warmth. After all he is no Clinton, the charmer.He is no white to get thrilled by the generous hospitality. In all the probability he is carrying the semblances of his Asian past .
Wide spread speculations were in the air about America's silence about Pakistan, our UNSC seat. At the end of the second day people were left with feeling that Obama was here only to do business. There is nothing wrong in clamour about trade in diplomacy but a bid to grab it without giving back any thing was a bit too audacious. Bold claims of shared values like democracy and Gandhi without any tangible benefit to the host nation left many to wonder whether creation of jobs for America by any way was the obligation for India.
Then came third day protocols. The itinerary perfectly suited the occasion. Things started looking differently. The dinners hosted night before,various interactions, familiarity, appeared to have change the moods. The air was lighter. Three days intimacy changed things to the better. Apparently Obama is a man who believes in surprises. He refused to talk on few issues during brief press meet only to to spell them louder in Parliament. He shot what we Indians wanted to hear. He promised what is of little consequence at the moment. He came. He saw. He conquered. He walked away with 50 thousand jobs dreams (Which his country men could dismiss as sham )
The things which were unveiled during president's visit have not fallen from sky overnight. Yet the strong message which has gone to the nation is that we are truly emerging, though Obama has preferred to call we have emerged, in modest sense we are emerging into considerable significance. Our prosperity spoke to the world than our ideals which we traditionally identify with third world countries. We have grown befittingly strong enough with our prospering middle class to ensure growth in alien nations too. Secondly the balance of power is shifting to Asia where in we need to play a greater role. In the broader world picture, America might need India one day to counter China's growing influence in the region. Though Obama caressingly preferred to pat us as equals, India should not foster an idea of super power in it's wildest dreams in near future while battling with it's own predicaments. We are far from being truly big. Thirdly we should not expect Us to denounce Pakistan as it needs Pakistan more rather than India at the moment. Finally it is good if we get better with times. Media as well as the public seemed overtly concerned with emotional issues than being pragmatic. From American point of view India is a 'market' with potential for future strategic partnership. Strong 'shoulder to shoulder' statement was never used before by any American President. Do not get cocky over new found riches. Do get deserved in the first place.
The hope of building infrastructure and availability of advanced technology in India is the significant outcome of this three day sojourn. It is good for present day India. In the long run the nation's wealth shall keep transported to the remote lands so long as we believe in buying than developing.
No doubt The nation is on the move . Let not our politicians destroy it.
No doubt The nation is on the move . Let not our politicians destroy it.
