Obama’s speech at Parliament reflects India’s uniqueness: PM

ON BOARD AIR INDIA ONE - Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has said the speeches delivered by US President Barack Obama during his recent visit to India is a reflection of the uniqueness of India as a functioning democracy, committed to the rule of law, committed to respect for fundamental human freedoms and yet managing to grow at a respectable rate.

“His speech to our Parliament, his idea of India that he talked about in his speeches, is a reflection of the uniqueness of India as a functioning democracy, committed to the rule of law, committed to respect for fundamental human freedoms and yet managing to grow at a respectable rate. So this is a tribute to India and not a tribute to me. What I am is because what India has made me,” Dr Singh told reporters on board Air India One.

To a question on the close relationship with former US President George Bush and the same personal chemistry with President Obama, Dr Singh said: “India is a unique country, that with all our diversity, with all the complexities of caste, of religion, that we remain a functioning democracy, that we can manage to grow at 8-9 percent growth rate. So it is really a tribute to India that attracted George Bush and same thing I find in President Obama.”

The US President during his address to Parliament on November 8 said despite all skeptics, India surmounted overwhelming odds and became a model to the world.

“An ancient civilization of science and innovation. A fundamental faith in human progress. This is the sturdy foundation upon which you have built ever since that stroke of midnight when the tricolour was raised over a free and independent India,” said Obama.

Mentioning about the transformation brought in through Green Revolution, President Obama said: “Instead of slipping into starvation, you launched a Green Revolution that fed millions. Instead of becoming dependent on commodities and exports, you invested in science and technology and in your greatest resource - the Indian people. And the world sees the results, from the supercomputers you build to the Indian flag that you put on the moon.”

“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,” he added.

Obama also chose to appreciate the diversity of India, saying: “Instead of succumbing to division, you have shown that the strength of India - the very idea of India - is its embrace of all colours, castes and creeds.” (ANI)