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On his second date with India, the charmer in <keyword id="15548" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="US-President">US President</keyword> Obama was at his wittiest best – and as always! He clearly knew he was going to win a lot more audience when he held the Indian pulse after quoting a line from Bollywood. Suddenly, the US President had a metamorphosis when he turned into a ‘phoren president’ to someone who had a deeper understanding of India. 
 
Though Obama is famous for his inspirational speech and the most stunning manner in which he delivers his words, this was much beyond anybody’s imagination. The second term President of America, held the Indians by their pulse. 
 
He knows India and Bollywood are inseparable as identities. Mention one, and chances are you will be mentioning the other too without actually spelling it out. 
 
At his last official speech which was delivered at Siri Fort in New Delhi, Obama was at his charming best. He sent home a few crucial messages, while touching upon some serious aspects of religious intolerance that’s gradually beginning to gain ground in the country. 
 
His speech in front of the most rapturous audience began with a ‘Namaste’ and continued into a ‘bahut bahut dhanyavaad’. Recalling his previous visit, he referred to his visit to a few NGOs where he and his wife Michelle Obama had broken into a jig or two. This time however, he said: “we couldn’t schedule any dancing..” 
 
Then came the super hit line from DDLJ (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge), in his deeply conditioned American baritone voice (minus any drama, unlike the Bollywood film in which this line featured) – “you know how it is…Bade Bade deshon mein…” 
 
And the audience broke into a thunderous applause. Clearly, he had held India by its very pulse. 
 
Now, did he feel the need to match the rapturous appearance Prime Minister Modi made at Madison Square Garden in NY, during his visit last year to receive the welcome of a rockstar? Modi had arrived when he signed off his deeply connecting speech with the famous lines from Star Wars. He had said: ‘May the force be with you’ to a gathering of highly emotional audience at Central Park in New York. 
 
Coming back to Obama’s visit, he spoke of the racial discrimination he faced on the land of his home country, the questions that were raised about his faith and religion. Basically, his humble beginnings and how everyone’s humble beginnings mattered. Only, what made the difference was whether one was strong enough to ensure they visualized their dreams and turned them into a reality. 
 
Referring to Prime Minister Modi’s humble beginnings to his journey that has taken him to the seat of PM, Obama said: “Even if we live in a world of terrible inequalities, there’s hope that a tea seller can become PM.” 
 
His speech was particularly inspiring for the youth whom he referred to, in his speech time and again, urging them to speak up, fight for their rights and ensure the country was a safe place for everyone – including women. 
 
“Young women today are part of new generation making your voice heard, standing up, determined to play your part in India’s progress. Young Indians are not only going to shape India, but the world,” he said. 
 
Stressing on the significance of safety of women across the world, Obama said “Nations are more successful when their women are successful,” he said, rather jocularly adding, “I am surrounded with strong women such as my wife Michelle and my daughters Malia and Sasha.” 
 
On a more serious note, Obama sent a timely warning for India against giving into religion-fuelled intolerance. “No society is immune by the dark impulses of the man. More often, religion is used to tap into it,” he observed. 
 
Sharing his dream of strengthening Indo-US ties, building a diplomatic relationship between nations that would be without any nuclear weapons, a distinct bond between countries that’s built on trade and trust and not doubts and hatred, Obama said countries like India need to embrace cleaner fuels to tackle climate change. 
 
There’s been a lot of bonhomie on Delhi streets since the last two days, despite the traffic snarls and an almost shut down of the capital gifting the people a long weekend this winter. US President Obama who visited India as the guest on Republic day with his wife Michelle Obama in tow has clearly created waves of excitement among Indians and NRIs living in America with his charming ways of conveying how well he understands India. 
 
The most pulsating moment to come closer to this time of celebration came around his last address in India, before he departed on the return journey. 
 
Image: Indiatimes

When The ‘Force’ Met ‘Bade Desh’: Decoding Obama’s DDLJ Moment At Siri Fort

Much was being talked about, when US President Obama accepted Modi’s invitation to visit India during the <keyword id="6416557" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Republic-day">Republic Day</keyword> parade. The bonhomie that was carried into the event was even more amazing. PM Modi almost broke every possible protocol to make the President and his wife Michelle feel at home. On the day of the event, and even during prior meetings, Obama and Modi seemed to have shared a great bonding. Speaking together at the radio programme ‘<keyword id="6364850" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mann-ki-Baat">Mann ki baat</keyword>’, that Modi usually addresses alone, Obama and Modi spoke of different things that mattered to both countries. 
 
Things seemed on a great pedestal when the hugs followed. The greatest show was put up for India’s esteemed guest who had made some kind of history when he came to India twice during his term as American President. More bonhomie was awaited, for sure. 
 
But, what followed was nothing less than discouragement and disappointment. A diplomatic gesture had just turned upside down. The red carpet was rolled back and somewhat tepid smell began to emanate from the corners of this diplomacy. 
 
Signs were clear when Obama delivered his address at Siri Fort and said something that should have got the alarm bells ringing. It was dismissed as a casual caution which was being issued by an international leader who was commenting on the general trend where terrorism was getting the name of a faith or religion. But, no, that wasn’t. Obama sent out his message loud and clear. India will stay strong as long as it is not splintered on religious lines. 
 And what followed was even more concerning. At his National Prayer Breakfast Meeting in Washington recently, Obama said ‘religious intolerance in India would have shocked Mahatma Gandhi’. He had a thing or two to say about Christianity too, where horrendous things were done in the name of Jesus Christ. This must have brought some embarrassment to <keyword id="3660" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dalai-Lama">Dalai Lama</keyword>, who was also present on the occasion. After all, he lives in India and has taken political refuge at various settlements in India during the Chinese aggression period decades ago. He still lives in Dharmasala and regularly meets political leaders from across the world there. 
 However, the damage was done. India got irritated with Obama’s words and carefully crafted response was conveyed. Religious leaders took to twitter and social networking sites and also vented their ire. India knew religious tolerance better than the gun-cultured US. Wonder what <keyword id="204664" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Martin-Luther">Martin Luther</keyword> King Jr would have had to say about today’s America. 
 
Indeed it was somewhat an uncalled comment from the most powerful man, presumably. The churches getting vandalised and masjids being attacked weren’t incidents that happened regularly in the country. In southern-most the state of Kerala, where Christians are high in number and so is the highest level of tolerance; things were on a peaceful stead. Incidents that happened in Delhi or elsewhere didn’t mean only Christians were being targeted or just the Muslims were the subject of all this religious intolerance. This is no justification to saying such incidents were okay, but to understand that such incidents didn’t create an atmosphere of fear and morbidity for communities is something worth noting. After all, how many Hindus can live without having to hide their identity in Pakistan? 
 
And, did Obama send out any stern warning to Pakistan on having oppressed the lives of Hindus? He, in turn, granted a handsome amount of military aid to Pakistan and told China, they didn’t have to fret about the newfound bonhomie with India. Now, you figure the rest.

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When The ‘Force’ Met ‘Bade Desh’: Decoding Obama’s DDLJ Moment At Siri Fort

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