Happy Republic Day and Welcome Mr. Obama

   The monument stands tall, in its full glory, held together not just by mortar but by the souls of those thousands of immortal soldiers and warriors who lost their lives in numerous battles on lands, foreign and home alike. Below it stands a reversed rifle capped by a war helmet and the Amar Jawan Jyoti blazing in the morning light, sways with the wind, fearless and confident. The All India War Memorial maintains a silent vigil as the procession, showcasing the strength, culture and diversity of this great country passes on. The tanks, the missiles and the soldiers in arms, the monument dwarfs everything.

   A person came from across the seven seas, looks on as the parade unfolds.

   Welcome, Mr Obama!

   The intricately customised Boeing 747 landed the previous day. I wonder if it really is as sophisticated as Mr Dan Brown described the United States Air Force One; the very name intimidates you, doesn’t it? The immaculately dressed Democrat stepped out hand-in-hand with his better half. In the background, stood the enormous

aircraft, the massive blue hull and the words proclaiming ‘United States of America’. One cannot help but cower at such a sign of power. Nevertheless, what followed was a bear hug from our Prime Minister, breaking all the existing protocols, not even a bit overwhelmed.

   The oldest and the largest democracies came together.

   West met East.

   Oriental embraced the Occidental.

   Taken aback, Mr Obama might have noticed the change in personality. The previous one had been a taciturn host whereas the one currently accompanying was far more voluble and cogent. Can’t tame this one, he must have thought. And so, he said, ceremoniously...

   “I am honoured to be back here in India.”

   That you must be, Sir. We Delhiites have undergone many hardships for your warm welcome, these past few days. At the metro stations, the electronic wand was pressed harder against our bodies than it was done usually, the CISF personnel and their big guns and the gaunt faces of the Indian Mujaheddin peeking from the walls, all for your convenience. And all those fresh cameras, installed for your security brought about an uproar among my friends who need these cameras for the security of the women in their families. They aren’t to blame, Sir. They are only troubled people. And you bereaved them of whatever little attention they were getting, even if it was for only for some days. But there are others too, the ones worried about the monetary avalanche that your visit has brought on us. Don’t mind them, Sir. These are the same people who questioned the economic feasibility of MOM(Mars Orbiter Mission) with their mantras of feeding the poor. Though many fail to recall their etiquettes, some of us still believe in Atithi Devo Bhava. And Mr Narendra Modi is one of those people, Sir.

   The cavalcade moved on to Rashtrapati Bhawan for the ceremonial reception. And there she was, Wing Commander Pooja Thakur. Do you know who she is, Sir? Probably not. Most importantly, she’s a woman and she is the first woman to lead a Guard of Honour for an important dignitary such as you. Possibly, it might not have meant much to you but for my fellow Indians, it sends a clear-cut message: Women Empowerment carried through actions, not words.

   Sir, I suppose, you enjoyed your ‘chai pe charcha’ arranged in Hyderabad House Gardens. Well, the thing beyond my comprehension is what important talk did take place in those insignificant twenty minutes: some of the things that your subordinates left out, maybe! Normally, when together, the commoners like me, talk about our girlfriends, present ones and the exes. I guess both of you did the same. The media reported that the

charcha was held under open skies and surely under an invisible security grid. Yeah, that same security a stray dog managed to infiltrate during the Guard of Honour ceremony; an Indian speciality in itself. Anyways Sir, as you already know there are important issues at hand: clean renewable energy, Make in India, FDI etc. Although you have been backing us up for the permanent membership in the UN Security Council, that dream is still left unrealised. Not to mention the Civil Nuclear Deal; it has been left hanging since the reign of your Republican predecessor. Power changed hands in both the countries, and now you’re in the final two years of your tenure. And once again with your arrival, one can hope that the deal is sealed, once and for all.

   I’ve heard that you haven’t visited the Taj Mahal. Well, that makes two of us. The authorities of Agra must be disappointed since your trip got cancelled; rubbing off those spit stains from the

roads wasn’t an easy task. However, should you find some time out of your tight schedule, I would gladly accompany you there.

   Sir, I would also like to compliment you on your physical fitness; there’s you and there are our leaders with their protruding bellies. If nothing, your visit ought to inspire them. (Go. Hit the Gym!)

   Never mind, Sir, you enjoy the ceremonial parade. I have no ticket, so….   

              
                    
                                                !!!Happy Republic Day!!!