This is in a sense a sequel to my previous post, titled “India, here I come!” In that I had expressed my thoughts on President Barack Obama’s India visit. The post dealt with the [over]reaction of the Indian media to such visits and our pre-occupation with absolutely inconsequential rhetoric that are so much a part of such visits of State Heads. Interestingly, I had also made some predictions/observations.
Now, we had a particularly interesting weekend visiting friends in Ohio and experiencing a “White Diwali” (yeah, we got 2-3 inches of snow!), and hardly had time to review what was happening with the Obama visit. This morning I reviewed some of the reports to see what the Indian media was gloating about. I realized I wasn’t completely off the mark. Infact, I did pretty well. Sample this:
In my previous post I had said: This is not the first US President to visit India and it won’t be the last.
Indian Media (quoting President Obama): “I am not the first American president to visit India. Nor will I be the last.”
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In my previous post I had said: After Obama’s visit, we will gloat over how Obama said “namastey” or might have even mouthed a few well-rehearsed Hindi words.
Indian Media (quoting President Obama): “…So to you and the people of India, on behalf of me, Michelle and the American people, please accept our deepest thanks. Bahoot dhanyavad.”
“…Thank you, Jai Hind!,..”
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In my previous post I had said: After Obama’s visit, we will gloat over how he loves Indian culture…
Indian Media (quoting President Obama): “…my wife Michelle and I have experienced the beauty and dynamism of India and its people.”
…” My confidence in our shared future is grounded in my respect for India’s treasured past – a civilization that has been shaping the world for thousands of years.”
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In my previous post I had said: After Obama’s visit, we will gloat over how he loves Gandhi…
Indian Media (quoting President Obama): “Throughout my life, including my work as a young man on behalf of the urban poor, I have always found inspiration in the life of Gandhiji and in his simple and profound lesson to be the change we seek in the world. “
“…I might not be standing before you today, as President of the United States, had it not been for Gandhi and the message he shared with America and the world.”
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In my previous post I had said: …lofty statements of “common interest”, and all the rhetoric that will accompany it
Indian Media (quoting President Obama): “…And it is my firm belief that the relationship between the United States and India – bound by our shared interests and values – will be one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century”
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In my previous post I had said: After Obama’s visit, we will gloat over how he believes that India will be a “major economic superpower”…
Indian Media (quoting President Obama): “…Instead of resisting the global economy, you became one of its engines – reforming the licensing raj and unleashing an economic marvel that has lifted tens of millions from poverty and created one of the world’s largest middle classes.”
“…For in Asia and around the world, India is not simply emerging; India has already emerged.”
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In my previous post I had said: After Obama’s visit, we will gloat over how he sang praises about India and how “strategic” India is to the US…
Indian Media (quoting President Obama): “…India-US relationship indispensable”
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In my previous post I had said: We will speculate and discuss what color sari Michelle Obama will buy…
Indian Media: On NDTV, Dr. Prannoy Roy and Shekhar Gupta were speculating about Michelle Obama’s wardrobe and whether what she was wearing was Zardosi work!! Someone please explain why this is relevant?
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I believe things ain’t gonna change, and that is precisely why all this misplaced focus by the Indian media on seemingly irrelevant rhetoric gets to me. Maybe I’m just too cynical. Maybe I am a realist. You be the judge.
You hit the bullseye with your predictions, Debu. Looks like all state heads have a standard handbook of do’s and don’ts for diplomatic visits, and you seem to be privy to that information.
@Santosh: Actually, its not the state heads I have a problem with. Its their “job” to come up with profound and heavily loaded statements. They all drink the same kool-aid, remember? My point (and angst!) is toward the (Indian) media. Don’t we have anything relevant to report other than drumming up meaningless banter at such visits, and then feel good about it? C’mon, we are much better than that. We don’t need to feel proud of our culture, language and Gandhi because Obama says so. We should do it anyway! That is my point.
Michelle Obama wears Zardosi – so what?? How will that help address the issues related to visas, economy, nuclear deal, Kashmir, Pakistan, ….?? IMO, its a collosal waste of airtime. But then, like the state heads have a “job” to mouth empty rhetoric, the media has the “job” of glorifying seemingly unimportant news (but one that will grab attention) to better their TRP and keep ad money flowing. Unfortunately, we live in an age of “breaking news” and “you first saw it on..”!! To-the-point reporting is considered boring and commenting on the US First Lady’s dance moves at a Mumbai school grabs more attention. I’ve had enough, I’m outta here!