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From Bill, with love

American President Bill Clinton is a nice man. Nice enough, at least, to reply in person to an Indian student studying in California.

The youngster in mention is Nilesh Subhash Halankar, formerly of the Balmohan Vidyamandir, Bombay, famous as the school of cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli. In 1995 Halankar went to America and enrolled as a first division science student in Saritos, California, where, besides studying, he teaches mathematics for an hourly $ 5.21 fee.

Halankar had written to Clinton with a proposal to better the inadequate facilities in his school. To which, the American president responded in person -- immediately.

"Dear Nilesh," wrote he, "thanks for writing a few words of encouragement. The youth are the future of this nation. Americans are working collectively to make a better nation for people like you. I'm prepared to do all the things for the welfare of schools, families, business and the society. But in this endeavour, support of young children like you is also needed.

"People like you should strive to protect and sustain the environment around you. You should be like a shelter to the homeless, teach unruly students of your school. Make friendship with people who are less fortunate than you are. Work hard in your school and prepare a generation that would assume the country's leadership. You should come forward to assume the responsibility of your country's future. This is my sincere request to you. Let's come together and enter the 21st century..."

Compiled from the Marathi media by Prasanna Zore

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