INDIA
Obama struck a correct political note in the beginning itself when he shook hands with Rahul Gandhi who was welcoming him with a namaste after he saw the young leader in the fourth row.
An effective communicator that he is, US President Barack Obama today cast his spell from the moment he entered the majestic Central Hall of Parliament with members clamouring to shake hands with him.
And he struck a correct political note in the beginning itself when he shook hands with Rahul Gandhi who was welcoming him with a namaste after he saw the young leader in the fourth row.
And he literally stole the show in his address to Parliament, peppering his speech with words like 'Jai hind', 'Bahut dhanyawad' and Panchatantra to connect with the world's largest democracy.
As regards the larger canvas, Obama sang paeans to his 'hero' Mahatma Gandhi.
"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.
In his 35-minute address, Obama also recalled Swami Vivekananda's address in his hometown of Chicago over a century ago where he had said that "holiness, purity and charity are not the exclusive possessions of any church in the world, and that every system has produced men and women of the most exalted character".
The first African-American to become the US President, Obama also paid tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar. "We believe that no matter who you are or where you come from, every person can fulfil their god-given potential, 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", he said.
Obama received the loudest applause when he said "I look forward to a reformed UN Security Council that includes India as a permanent member".
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi as BJP veteran L K Advani and others were seen lustily cheering the dignitary.
His reference to 'bylanes of Chandni Chowk' also saw wide clapping from members particularly union minister Kapil Sibal, representing the Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha constituency.
India's ambassador to the US Meera Shanker as also foreign secretary Nirupama Rao and secretary in the external affairs ministry Latha Reddy were seen sitting among the members.
It was 'first-come-first-served' for MPs as several of them were seen standing as the Hall was filled to capacity despite arrangements for additional chairs.
Former union minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, who has downplayed expectations from the Obama visit on the issue of terrorism, was seen standing and so were senior MPs Abhishek Singhvi, Sandeep Dikshit, Inder Singh Namdhari, Shyam Benegal, Jayant Chaudhry, Jyoti Mirdha and Arun Kumar.
Union minister Agatha Sangma, who arrived a bit late, was seen searching for a vacant seat as her father PA Sangma was occupying the second row being a former Lok Sabha Speaker.
Other former speakers present were Balram Jakhar, Baliram Bhagat, Shivraj Patil, who is now Punjab governor, and Manohar Joshi, who is now Shiv Sena parliamentary party leader.
The lack of space made union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, a backbencher as also former minister of state of external affairs Shashi Tharoor and Independent member Vijay Mallya.
Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi, the couple who was invited to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's private dinner to Obama, were seated together in the fourth row.
Sonia Gandhi who came to the Hall minutes before the US President was greeted with clapping from the ruling party members while deputy leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha Sis Ram Ola was seen arguing with Parliament officials apparently for a seat in the front row.
Devisingh Shekhawat, husband of President Pratibha Patil, took a seat in the front row along with Manjul Kumar, husband of Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar. Manmohan Singh's wife Gursharan Kaur was sitting next to him.
Sonia Gandhi was sitting in the front row along with former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, deputy speaker Karia Munda, leader of Lok Sabha Pranab Mukherjee and the row also had leaders of opposition in both Houses Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley.
DNA TV Show: How US Presidential election results may impact the world
Sharda Sinha dies at 72: Who are there in her family?
Who was Sharda Sinha aka Bihar Kokila, famous for Chhath and Maine Pyar Kiya songs?
Bihar Kokila Sharda Sinha passes away in AIIMS, son Anshuman confirms news
Parliament's winter session to begin from Nov 25, to continue till Dec 20
IPL 2025 mega auction dates announced: Check no. of players, venue, where to watch and more
Deepinder Goyal reveals customers' reaction to wife Grecia Munoz delivering Zomato orders
Infosys founder Narayana Murthy flirts with Sudha Murty in viral video from Kapil Sharma show
Ajay Devgn's fans don't want Singham Again to become a blockbuster: 'Rohit Shetty jab tak hai...'
Types, Most Popular and Where to Buy Peptides for Bodybuilding
Luxury in the City of Light: SABO Boutique Hotel Brings Elegance to Varanasi’s Sacred Ghats
Virat Kohli, Babar Azam could play for same team as Afro-Asia Cup set for revival
Shaping the Future of Web Apps: Full Stack Developer’s Expertise in API Design and Cloud Deployment
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Enhancing Software Performance and Security
Mastering Linux for Superior Sound
Amid divorce rumours of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, Aaradhya praises mother in viral video
AI in Data Warehousing: Future Trends and Innovations
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio IPO worth Rs 840960 crore in 2025: All you need to know
After India's 0-3 loss against New Zealand, Shah Rukh Khan calls Gautam Gambhir...
BIG revelation on Imane Khelif, Olympic gold medallist boxer's medical repot leaked, it confirms…
Meet man who built Rs 152000 crore company, donated Rs 100 crore, now set to lead US firm as...
Visa Uncertainty: Impact of US polls on global talent
Virat Kohli turns 36: IPL franchises send heartwarming birthday wishes to legendary India cricketer
Meet Sanjay Verma, the new DGP of Maharashtra who replaced Rashmi Shukla
Anushka Sharma shares FIRST photo of Akaay, Vamika to celebrate Virat Kohli’s birthday
CAT 2024 admit card to be out today at iimcat.ac.in; know release time, steps to download
Vikas Divyakirti UPSC Tips: Check strategy to crack IAS exam, aspirants should study for...
Video of Pakistani man putting hand into chained tiger's mouth goes viral, social media reacts
Shalini Passi reveals her husband's connection to Shah Rukh Khan's wife Gauri Khan, they were..
SC upholds validity of UP madrassa law, says it does not violate principle of secularism
US Presidential Elections 2024: What time do the polls close; when will the results be known?
Elon Musk shares controversial post on X amid US election results, video goes viral
Mukesh Ambani's company earned Rs 15393 crore last week, his net worth now stands at...
Chhath Puja 2024: Know about Kharna, Sandhya Arghya, Usha Arghya, date, timings and puja vidhi
Virat Kohli Birthday: Legendary batter turns 36, here's a look at his incredible milestones
When Ratan Tata met his first true love after 50 years, went for dinner together, know who she was
Samantha Ruth Prabhu hits back at trolls who body-shamed her: 'If you guys...'
Two fall prey to Narayana Murthy and Mukesh Ambani's deepfake videos, lose Rs 80 lakh: Report
North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles toward sea ahead of US election
Deepika Padukone romances Hrithik Roshan in Bikini, looks sizzling hot in UNSEEN viral video
Chhath Puja 2024: Top 50 wishes, What'sApp messages, quotes to share with your loved ones
Meet Caroline Emmons, Ratan Tata's 'first love' with whom he couldn't marry due to...
Who is Rohan Jaitley, frontrunner to replace Jay Shah as BCCI secretary?
World’s most expensive human tooth is valued over Rs 3000000, it belonged to…
Viral video: Little girl’s adorable dance to Lisa Haydon’s 'Manali Trance' impresses internet, watch
SC to deliver its verdict on pleas against Allahabad HC order scrapping UP madrasa law today
DNA TV Show: Why Election Commission changed Assembly by-elections' dates
Days after imposing fine on Anil Ambani, Sebi now issues Rs 130 crore demand notices to...
Thailand announces indefinite visa-free entry for Indian travellers
Meet daughter of billionaire, who studied in UK, now works in Rs 32770 crore Indian company as...
MUDA case: Lokayukta police summon Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah for questioning on...
This city is 4000 years old, belongs to bronze age where 500 people lived, it is located in...