O-B-A-M-A, O-B-A-M-A — amid chant of his name echoing across the Siri Fort Auditorium like a Mexican wave, US President Barack Obama had his own Madison Square moment in New Delhi on Tuesday. In a powerful speech, he spoke about growing India-US partnership, emphasised the need for religious freedom, civil rights and gender parity, and reiterated his commitment to help India meet its climate change obligations and nuclear energy needs.
Before a capacity crowd of 2,000 from diverse field, including students of IIT-Delhi, JNU, Delhi University, young activists, technocrats, Noble prize winner Kailash Satyarthi and a few children of labours, Obama started with a “Namaste” amid a huge round of applause and cheering.
The US President said nothing made him happier than seeing hope in future as he referred to Vishal, son of a labour whom he had met during last visit to India at the Humayun’s Tomb. Vishal, who is in school now, was comfortable seated next to First lady Michele.
Obama instantly connected with the youngsters with some Hindi words and filmy dialogues and dropping the names Shahrukh Khan, Milkha Singh, Mary Kom and Kailash Satyarthi to make a point on courage, humanitarian values and religious tolerance.
“I bring friendship and greetings of American people. On behalf of myself and Michelle, thank you so much for welcoming us back to India. Bahut Dhanyavad,” he said, before going on to say that he could not dance bhangra this time with children unlike last time. “But Senorita, bade bade deshon mein…you know what I mean,” Obama said with a smile without completing the sentence as public lapped up the dialogue from Shahrukh Khan-Kajol’s Dilwale Dulhania le Jayenge.
After jokes and laughter, Obama settled down for some serious talk. In his 35-minute speech, he summed up his India visit by mentioning hurdles cleared in the nuclear deal, issues on climate change and collaboration on renewable energy and defence. “India and the US are not just natural partners but can be best partners,” Obama said.
“I believe America can be India’s best partner. Of course, only Indians can decide India’s role in the world. But I am here because I am absolutely convinced that both our peoples will have more jobs and opportunities and our nations would be more successful and world would be safer and more just place when our two democracies stand together,” the President said. He added America wants to be a partner as India lift up the lives of the Indian people and provide greater opportunity. He credited India for its stunning achievements of lifting millions from poverty.
“As India pursues more trade and investment we want to be first in line. We are ready to join you in building new infrastructures, the roads, airports the ports, the bullet trains to propel India into the future. We are ready to help designs more cities which serve citizens better,” Obama said.
His talked at length on issues of religious freedom, civil rights and educating girl child and said the sight of Indian women soldiers marching confidently in parade left him highly impressed. “One of the favourite things on this trip for me has been to see all these incredible Indian women in the Armed forces, including the person who commanded the guard that greeted me when I arrived. It’s remarkable. It is a sign of great strength and progress,” Obama said as he stressed that nations become successful when their women make progress.
“We know from experience that nations are successful when their women are successful. When girls go to school...This is one of the most direct measures of whether a nation is going to develop perfectly, and how it treats its women,” the President said giving boost to PM’s “Beti badhao, beti padhao campaign.” He also urged men to ensure that the fairer sex are ensured their freedom and right.
Obama also praised the diversity in the US and India that allows the grandson of a cook to become President (himself) and a tea seller a Prime Minister, referring about Narendra Modi. “Even as we live in a world of terrible inequality, we are also proud to live in countries where a grandson of a cook can become a President and even a tea seller can become Prime Minister,” Obama said.
However, talking about religious intolerance, he cautioned that India will succeed so long as it was not “splintered along the lines of religious faith.” His words assume importance given the controversies relating to religious conversions and reconversions (Ghar Vapasi). In a powerful message Obama said: “Every person has a right to practice the faith that they choose or to practice no faith at all, and to do so free of persecution, fear or discrimination.”
He added that around the world there was intolerance, violence and terror perpetrated by those who profess to be standing for upholding their faith. “We have to guard against any efforts to divide us on sectarian lines or any other thing,” he said. The US leader said that no society is immune by the darkest impulses of man and that more often religion has been used to tap into it.
“Across our two great countries there were Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and Jews, and as Mahatma Gandhi had said that different religions are beautiful flowers on the same garden and branches from the same majestic tree,” Obama said while adding in almost all countries upholding this fundamental right is the responsibility of the Government and every person.
He even mentioned rumours about him being secretly a Muslim and not a Christian before quickly dismissing it and how he was discriminated against for being a “black.” “There were moments in my life where I’ve been treated differently because of the colour of my skin. There have been times where my faith has been questioned by people who don’t know me, or they’ve said that I adhere to a different religion, as if that were somehow a bad thing.”
After the speech, Obama and Michele joined the audience for selfies and handshakes, hugs and chats. Obama also shook hands with Delhi Police personnel who have been giving him security at public venues.
“He had the most humble way of presenting big ideas,” said Kshitij from IIT-D, while AIESEC’s Mihir Duta was spellbound by “brilliant intensity of speech and delivery.” “He connects with youth and is a family man,” said JNU’s Asha.