President Obama’s Visit
Soli J. Sorabjee, Indian Express.Posted: Sun Nov 07 2010, 05:15 hrs====================================================================
Of all the US Presidential visits to India, President Obama’s has special significance. He is the first African-American to be elected US President, he has been inspired by Gandhiji’s philosophy, and shares India’s fundamental democratic values. Unfortunately, the news at home is discouraging for the President. The Republicans have captured the Senate and have dented the Democrats’ majority in the House and have changed Obama’s “Yes, we can” to “No, we can’t”. Nonetheless, Obama’s woes will be softened by the rousing welcome that awaits him in Mumbai and in New Delhi despite the cities being turned into mini-fortresses because of security reasons. He and the First Lady will savour the exquisite ambience and hospitality of the Taj Mahal Hotel and the Maurya Sheraton. The Obamas are sure to enjoy the performance by the Shillong Choir at the Rashtrapati Bhavan banquet and probably they may join in with the group.
A heartening aspect of the US elections is that Indian-American Nikki Haley, 38, born of Sikh parents who migrated from Punjab became the second Indian-American to be a Governor of a US State after Bobby Jindal of Louisiana. She is also the first Indian-origin woman Governor. Indians are gradually making strides in American politics.
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South Carolina governor Nikki's family members to visit US to meet her
AMRITSAR: The family members of South Carolina governor elect- Nikki Haley here are busy making preparations for a trip to US to meet the woman whom they had seen when she was just four years old. The family is also pinning hopes that Nikki, who has converted to Christianity, would visit Amritsar for offering thanksgiving prayer at Golden Temple.
"We might have seen her long back, but we often talk to Nikki and her parents," said Subedar Major (retd) Pritam Singh Randhawa, uncle of Nikki Haley. Nikki is daughter of Dr Ajit Singh Randhawa, younger brother of Pritam Singh Randhawa.
Pritam Singh, who is in his mid nineties, said he was too old to fly to US, but was pleased that Nikki had made her mark in US. "She has made every Indian feel proud of her success," he said.
Going down the memory lane, Randhawa said he had faded impression of Nikki's looks when she was just fours year old and had visited her maternal uncle's home in Amritsar. The house was situated near Golden Temple, but was later demolished under the Galliara project.
He said Nikki's father Ajit had migrated to US in 1962, but had visited India in 1988, 1995 and 1996.
Kanwaljit Singh Randhawa, cousin brother of Nikki, said the family was preparing to leave for US to meet her. "We are so eager to meet the family that we can't express our feelings in words," he said.
He said that on Friday he had talked to his uncle Ajit Singh Randhawa over phone who informed about the busy schedule of Nikki.
Charanjit Kaur, Nikki's sister-in-law, said that her success would encourage many others like her to try their luck in US politics. She said she was proud that Nikki still offers prayers at Gurdwara and respect Sikh religious feelings.
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