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| From Gandhi to Ambedkar, Obama Remembers All | | | AGENCIES
NEW DELHI, Nov 8: Eulogising India's contribution to world civilisations, US President Barak Obama today invoked leaders from all walks of life -- from his 'hero' Mahatma Gandhi to Tagore and Ambedkar -- to drive home his point.
Obama quoted Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore, "Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high" as he recalled India's contribution to world civilisations and the message Swami Vivekananda delivered in 1893 at the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago.
"It's the richness of faiths celebrated by a visitor to my hometown of Chicago more than a century ago -- the renowned Swami Vivekananda," he said when he dwelt on the "very idea of India" -- "its embrace of all colours, castes and creed".
And as he spoke about his belief that "every person can fulfill their god-given potential" no matter where he comes from, he invoked the father of Indian constitution B R Ambedkar, saying "just as a Dalit like Dr Ambedkar could lift himself up and pen the words of the Constitution that protects the rights of all Indians...".
But most of all, his speech was dotted with references of Gandhi, the man whom he had hailed two days ago as "a hero not just to India but to the world."
"In the life of Gandhiji and in his simple and profound lesson to be the change we seek in the world. And just as he summoned Indians to seek their destiny, he influenced champions of equality in my own country, including a young Martin Luther King.
After making his pilgrimage to India a half century ago, Dr King called Gandhi's philosophy of non-violent resistance 'the only logical and moral approach' in the struggle for justice and progress," the 49-year-old US President said.
He said he felt honoured and humbled to visit the residence where Gandhi and King both stayed -- Mani Bhavan -- and the memorial of the father of nation at Rajghat.
"We were humbled to pay our respects at Rajghat. And I am mindful that 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," he said.
Trying to reach out to Indian masses, Obama said, "We believe that no matter where you live -- whether 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."
In box with above item..
'Dhanyawad,' says Obama. And 'Jai Hind'
New Delhi: As he paused and carefully enunciated "Lok Sabha" and "Rajya Sabha" very early in his address to the Indian Parliament, it was clear that President Barack Obama would attempt to charm with a generous sprinkle of Hindi and other things India.
Very soon thereafter, he thanked India for the warm welcome to his wife Michelle and him and charmingly said, "Bahut Dhanyawad". Later in the speech, he gingerly worked his way through "Punjab", "Chandni Chowk" for its bylanes, "Kolkata and Bangalore" (not Bengaluru) said rather well.
"Dalit' rolled off fine, but "BR Ambedkar" needed some attention and effort. "Panchatantra" was brave by any standards.
The best was saved for the last, when Obama said "Jai Hind" with much panache.
In 36 minutes of an intellectual and emotional speech, Obama dug deep to bring up quotes, names of people and references to events that matter in the Indian context. He referred to the visit of Swami Vivekananda to Chicago, Obama's home town. He quoted Rabindranath Tagore in saying, "Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high. Each mention elicited much applause.
And then, of course, there was Mahatma Gandhi, whom Obama has repeatedly acknowledged as a personal hero. He made elaborate mention of Gandhi, who has been a leitmotif in the Obama visit - in both speech, the written word and the places the US President and his wife have chosen to tour.
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