Sharing the Mann ki Baat radio platform with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, U.S. President Barack Obama said governments and leaders today cannot rule through a top-down approach, and should instead reach out to people in an inclusive way and engage in dialogue with citizens about the direction of their country.
Mr. Obama was responding to a question about how leaders should adapt to a world in which young people were global citizens with information at their fingertips. Answering the same question, Mr. Modi emphasised on the power of youth, saying “Communists used to say earlier, 'workers of the world, unite.' I think today it should be — youth unite the world.”
Mr. Modi had started the Mann ki Baat radio platform in October as a way to directly communicate with people. Tuesday's edition was a historic joint address with Mr. Obama who had just concluded his visit to India. Mr. Obama described India and the U.S. as natural partners who were “making a lot of history in a short time.” He added that he was honoured to be the first U.S. President to visit India on Republic Day.
Over the course of 35 minutes Mr. Modi and Mr. Obama fielded questions that had come in from across the country ranging from their personal inspirations to their vision for a shared future. Mr. Modi took the first question on what Mr. Obama's name meant, explaining that 'Barack' in Swahili meant 'one who was blessed.'
Mr. Obama then gave an opening address before taking questions himself: “People are very excited in the United States about the energy that Prime Minister Modi is bringing to efforts in this country to reduce extreme poverty and lift people up, to empower women, to provide access to electricity, and clean energy and invest in infrastructure, and the education system.” He added that on all these issues the U.S. wants to partner India since they are similar to what he himself is trying to achieve through his policies.
When asked if they had ever dreamt of reaching where they are today, both Mr. Modi and Mr. Obama replied in the negative. Mr. Obama said that their respective stories were an example of the incredible opportunities available in both countries.
“I think both of us have been blessed with an extraordinary opportunity, coming from relatively humble beginnings. And when I think about what’s best in America and what’s best in India, the notion that a tea seller or somebody who’s born to a single mother like me, could end up leading our countries, is an extraordinary example of the opportunities that exist within our countries,” Mr. Obama said
Mr. Modi was also asked to compare his two visits to the White House: One as a visitor standing outside the fence and then as a visiting premier. Mr. Modi said he never thought he would set foot inside and on his first official visit, Mr. Obama gifted him a book of speeches by Swami Vivekananda at the Chicago World Religions Conference in 1894. The gesture, he said, left him deeply touched.
To a question on why his two daughters didn't accompany him to India, Mr. Obama said they had school and couldn't leave. However, he said they were both deeply influenced by the Indian freedom movement and how it influenced the non-violent civil rights movement in America. “I am quite sure that they are going to insist that I bring them back the next time I visit,” Mr. Obama said.
> OBAMA'S VISIT TO INDIA
- › DAY 1: JANUARY 25, 2015
- › Arrival in the morning and Rashtrapathi Bhavan Ceremonial
- › Rashtrapathi Bhavan Ceremonial
- › Homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat
- › Bilateral discussions with PM Narendra Modi, followed by a luncheon
- › Meeting with President Pranab Mukherjee
- › Banquet hosted by the President
- › DAY 2: JANUARY 26, 2015:
- › Republic Day function and Rashtrapathi Bhavan Ceremonial
- › 'At home' with Pranab Mukherjeeand a round table with CEOs
- › DAY 3: JANUARY 27, 2015:
- › To address a select gathering
- › Leaves for Saudi Arabia
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