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'Clinton's visit was an honour'

Message Board posts are edited slightly

Name: v padmanabhan
Email: padmanabhan_v@hotmail.com
Message: I feel the visit is not exactly a blessing. While the red carpet welcome is justfied all the command performance by the govt. at Raj. village etc are in bad taste. I was shocked to see Chadra babu Naidu bending while shaking prez's hand after clinton finished his sppech at cyberabad. what a shame padmanabhan

Name: pooja
Email: pooja_kum_009@rediffmail.com
Message: Clinton India kyon aaya... Mujhe to kisi ne kuch nahin bataya

Name: sarika nigam
Email: nigams99@wilnetonline.net
Message: Mr.Clinton's visit has been an honour for Indians. The fact that the internet revolution has got an impetus by his visit cannot be ignored. He spoke of the contribution of Indian-Americans in the Silicon valley and that the cooperation of both was needed for making internet a medium of education in poor countries. The aid promised by him for High Tech City ,Hyderabad is laudable and will go a long way in creating millions of opportunities for budding software professionals. In the long run it will help tide over problems of brain drain.It's high time we rose above petty considerations and thought of a new world order and GOOD ECONOMICS as emphasized by the American President.

Name: Harry
Email: Harry@yahoo.com
Message: I can't think!

Harry:-)

Name: Byju Ravindran
Email: byju@usa.net
Message: America as India is an independent country with its own national interest. Its nice to see a change in America's attitude to India as America was Pro-Pak. Friends are formed with common interest and interest which conflicts can be resolved thru a dialog. As today America is also a minor victim of Terrorism they know the seriousness which India was highlighting for half a century. So any good will should be taken positively and we should wait for the net outcome without compromising our national interest.

Name: Sitaram
Email: sitaram_rnv@yahoo.com
Message: Traditionally every westerner will have a dream to visit India. Bill has realized his dream! I doubt we really invited him with a purpose, just because he first said he will come on his own and later hesitated, it became a issue. We took it as an ego issue and invited him, may be to prove our's is a safe country. Bill could not afford his trip to be controversial to Pakistan, so he had to go there too even though it is not safe, just to woo them. Main purpose of his visit is just holidaying royally. Any claims of achievements during his visit could have happened through telephones and video conferences, which is normal.

Name: Ravi
Email: osimail@netscape.net
Message: The biggest problems of India are that (a) we are soft when it is not necessary - the way we conducted ourself during Clinton's visit was stupid and (b) the present Govt has no experts in foreign policy and has only short term goals. We have to learn a few things from China. I think Bill got what he wanted from India without giving in much.

Name: venkats
Email: teri.res.in
Message: The "breaking of the ice", while sharing bread, is a good step. The Russians, under Putin, are and continue to be close friends, and while we in India continue to have a hangover of the old Cold War syndrome, the world is moving on. The initiative of jaswant Singh in his various discussions with the US administration has created an awareness of the problems confronting India, but we should not expect soft reactions from the US on all issues, on the contrary there will be occasions when they may take a hard step- for which India should be ready. Unlike India, which reacts to situations, the US is proactive and will not hesitate to call a spade a spade!

Name: Kiran Kumar Arasada
Email: Kiran.A.Kumar@philips.com
Message: Mr. Clinton's visit to the Sub-continent was watched by many Super Powers. Most of them have their fingers criss-crossed. This visit does not mean any diplomatic success, nor does it mean India is alienating Russia. There is nothing wrong in giving a red-carpet welcome to Mr. Clinton; but we should not forget how much money we wasted on this much hyped visit. Is Mr. Clinton not a lame duck? With just 8 months left for Mr.president to step down, and no comments from either Mr.Gore or Mr.Bush on his visit to India, do we expect The United States Of America to maintain the same rapport with India? The President's visit does not show a tilt towards India. American's need Indian's badly and they need Indian markets to be opened. This is rather a warning to the fellow countrymen. They know from where to get the money; they know how to tap the potential of the Indians. An open

Name: Satheesan N. Kochicheril
Email: purereason@hotmail.com
Message: Your attention is brought to my website, www.purereason.org. It deals with the Expression of the Enlightenment Attained by the Prophets.

All prophets reach the state of mind, transcending time and regionalism, where they get enlightened of the reality that is in the Universe. The prophets called it the Truth, and the Taoist sages called it the 'Tao'. The awareness of it leads to the permanent moral structure that should be adhered to by the humanity. The ones who insist on the strict observation of it by everyone, the prophets, come into violent conflicts with the society. The numerical majority of the society has momentary victory over them. The others are called the sages.

Wisdom is essentially part of the Truth because it is essentially Holistic (Pure Reason). But, societies, in the march of their civilizations, develop many reason-based systems as part of cumulative thinking. The net result of this is the alienation of the mind from its inherent sensibility, and also the disintegration of humanity into many factions, as we see them at present everywhere. Here we witness the victory of the civilizations over the culture of the mind. The expression of the culture of the mind, on the other hand, unifies humanity. It also is required for its best expression. So I speak of the 'Death of Reason'. Buddha was the first to condemn reason, and Jung the next.

Sincerely Satheesan www.purereason.org The Expression of the Enlightenment Attained by the Prophets Center for Pure Reason USA

Name: dileep menon
Email: dilipmenon_in@yahoo.com
Message: sir, it defenitely was a great diplomatic success ,for us. think about it. we have ow stepped into the world's view as a responsible nuclear nation with enormous economic potential. stop looking at india with commie eyes. the communists are the same people who celeberated indias defeat at chinas hand.

our relationship with russia is independent of our other ties. the cold war is over remember?its only some pseudo intellectual socialists, who still believe that remaining foolishly non alligned is good for the nation.

more over the u.s policy will stand with us for the coming president too.u dont make drastic changes in a great visit to a great nation,just for fun.i dont see any change in the decisions taken this time under bill,when the new american president is sworn in.

Name: Jagadeesh Venugopal
Email: jvenu_om2000@india.com
Message: Bill's visit can help cement ties.

Do not for a moment think that this is a lame-duck President. Foreign policy in the USA does not change on a dime every time there is a new prez. Remember the hopes we had when George Bush went out and the Democrats came in. It turned out that there was not much of a change.

We need to acknowledge that the USA is a superpower. Given that they have what we need (high tech, and a market for our main exports)and given that they need what we have (IT experts and a democratic counterbalance in Asia to various fundamentalist nations on the one hand and China on the other) I think this is a good match.

Not to say that we should go around kissing American ass. But we should definitely exploit the synergies of our relationship. It would be a pity if we let our ego come in the way of mutual benefit.

Name: praveena
Email: praveena_manne@yahoo.com
Message: Clinton, in coming to india was not just playing a tourist.His arrival was a moment of pride and joy for india was considered worth visiting by the most powerful man on earth. his visit would surely make an impression on all of us for his diplomatic way of dealing things and for his down to earth approach.

Name: Radhika Ganjawala
Email: raganjawala@hotmail.com
Message: Yes, we should've waited another year for the new elected President of the U.S. of A to visit India. It seems as if this President at the fag end of his career -- what can he promise India? And do you think the new President will agree to his suggestions? Anyway, better late than never. India has certainly impressed the visitors.

Name: gautam
Email: gautam@AOL.COM
Message: INDIA HAS GOTTON SECND RATE WORLD COVERAGE AGAIN. IT IS BEING LECTURED Y A YOUNG MATERIALISTIC UPSTART WHO IS NOT ONLY IMMORAL BUT A LIAR AS WEELL. HE DIS HIA ACT SO WELL THAT INDIANS DID NOT EVEN MIND THE CLEAR DISCRIMINATION IN HIS VOICE AND TALK ABOUT BEING THE ONLY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD TO HAVE USED NUCLEAR WEAPONS AGAINST A NON-NUCLEAR COUNTRIUES CIVILIANS!!!. WHAT A BLOODY SHAM!!!!!!!.

Name: Ravi
Email: nravi@zeenext.com
Message: With all the hype surrounding Clinton's visit, we seem to have forgotten our dear ole' friend, Russia. It is commendable that then USSR and now Russia stands by us at every opportunity. When the Big B was scheduled to come to India last year, I remember the other "B" - Boris Yeltsin was also supposed to have come to India within a couple of months of each other's visit. What happened to that?

Name: Vijay Rathore
Email: vijaysrathore@yahoo.com
Message: I think Clinton learnt more about Indian view and now realizes that its the Pakistan which is culprit and makes noise.

Name: Sumathi
Email: sumathi_muthu@hotmail.com
Message: Why is this anti-America (for that matter any country) as long as that country doesn't do any harm. What is that mean, if our Prime Minister visits some country which is very poor compared to India?. Is it a plan to over power that country!! This world is a one place, where we have to share and live together. Let us be friendly with other countries who are ready, instead of talking about pass, let us take a positive step towards future. Being friendly with America doesn't mean that ignoring our good old friend Russia.

Name: Pankaj Dhadse
Email: pankaj_dhadse@hotmail.com
Message: This is a good move. USSR is no more.. China & pakistan is popping up. So best way is to join their party. Our aim should be "Nation should survive." Once we have enough power, we'll fight back. "Keeping mum & flattering someone is the need of the day." Bill Clinton is the 1st US president to visit Parliament. So USA has started reckoning India... Congratulations to NDA govt. for this manouver. About left parties.. they should be kept on left only..they can't be right..

Name: Mahesh Bhanumurthy
Email: mail4mahesh@consultant.com
Message: This is my reply to Jessica Higginbotham's letter in 'Tax-payers will have to bear Bill's bill' message board. If you can still post this message, please do so.

1. Clinton will be shown the polished parts, but he too is going to do the same; preach the world. India is proud of its PM's character in every respect because he has Indian ethos & values. Bill continues to be the American president because every American sees his own self in Bill. How very true!!!

2. If you are so concerned about India's infrastructure ask Bill to end the sanctions. America is the world's biggest bully.

3. Human rights is equally worse in the US. You can see the racist whites making life miserable for the non-whites and you can find them in every walk of life. India never has had the concept of slavery, but that is the very foundation of America's history. And the genocide and extermination of the native Americans. You talk of feminism in America, but the US has not had a single woman president !!! On the other hand India has had many queens and a woman primeminister - Indira Gandhi.

4. The t-shirt Clinton wears is manufactured in India. If India stops supplying them to Cutter & Buck, it's Bill who's going to be naked. But being naked is part of his presidential portfolio, so he has nothing to worry about. Today US is in the forefront of IT revolution only because of the Indians. The Indians are a force to reckon with and Bill has realized that. Stop issuing the work visas and the US will be grounded. No more dot.coms, e-this and e-that. The policiy of GIVE and TAKE must be the basis of any collaboration, not justkeep

Name: chan
Email: chan7272@aol.com
Message: One thing that Clinton said went right through my mind and was ashamed of it as well. He said, India has managed to connect millions to internet but failed to connect its people with the basic dinking water.

Just imagine that we have all the water we need. Rain water is let go to the sea and no one cares. 70% of the water is wasted there. We have many large rivers and the highest snow mountain which can feed water to the main land. Even after 30 years we still are arguing abot Sardar Sarovar. We fight among ourselves and for what...millions are suffering due to bad planning and ignoring the poor.

One day it is going to haunt us unless we wake up now and do something about the poor population. Imagine one day India will be beautiful like Miss world. Nice face with sparkling eyes and rosy lips. A flawless beauty. Then imagine one day someone breaks the girls nose and damages her eye. The beautiful girl now becomes ugly and unwanted. Now imagine all the middlecalss people having all the luxuries, rodas are better than USA Intersate. Railways are in time and people are able to travel like Maharajas and not cattle. Then comes this poor people and the whole Indias face start looking ugly.

The most beautiful face of the earth is now tarnished with poor people strugling to survive, no education or money or skills are left behind like cattle. This will happen as we Indians are selfish. If our stomach is full then we do not care for others. We say, God will take care of them" It is time we forget the cast system and bring all the Indian people under one umbrella, as proud Indians.Just because we are able write code words so the computer can understand and the world is knocking our door doesn't mean we are going to be a great nation. It would take energy, vision and planning to be great. In last 300 yeras we haven't produced a single leader who can take India out of the darkness. We still go to the beach to swim with the saree on.

Name: Sujatha Prabhu
Email: sujathaprabhu@hotmail.com
Message: Clinton came to India, because he wanted to see this country. Like any other guest who visits, he came, he acted a good guest and he left. All that he has signed or given to our country is just a business move from which even the USA is going to benefit. No one does anything without benefitting from it.

In spite of his visit to both India and Pakistan, both the countries are going to do just what they want to. So i feel there is no need to make a big issue about India before and after Clinton. I am open to debate on this.

Name: srinivasan parthiban
Email: s parthiban@weizmann.ac.il
Message: First of all, all our leaders should undergo some basic crash course on leadership, manners, exposure to other countries, (perhaps re-exposure to our own country's history, strength, weakness) and few other in similar lines. When I watched Clinton's address I felt like some third person is teaching our country's strength and I was flattered. He was really at his best in the speach. People might debate on the contents of the speach, but the way he expressed his points were certainly praiseworthy.

Equally I was disappointed by our Prime Minister's speach to Clinton's reply. Well, just because some illiterate MP would boycott if PM makes his specah in english instead of hindi (which of course is not all people's language in india) let the illiterate MP boycott. He certainly doesnt deserve a seat in the parliament. the next day, i dont know what happend to the MP, he softened his stand saying ..."see, Vajpayee mada a speach in UN in Hindhi, so i wanted him to deliver his speach in hindhi here"...

well, speach in UN is something formal... here it is something seriouly people are watching not just indians.. but the international community... CNN and BBC were wondering what to do, since they couldnt get the translators in time...and just changed to someother program...till then they were live telecasting the program. Also it is our responsiblility to convey a message when clinton too all the effort to come here from a long distance with such a speach...

now i wont blame just the MP... the PM also has to equall share the blame. he should have had two scripts, one in hindi and another in english... that day had PM made his speach in english, certainly noone would have created the scene...because all the audiance were just speachless.. they were enjoyed the speech of clinton... i appreciate mr.karunanidhi (although he is a NDA partner) for criticising this event... basically we need to learn lot from others. dont be shy in telling this. every ministers, starting from PM to an independant MP needs a crash course. they need to be exposed to the modern technology...scientific discoveries.

if india wants to concentrate on western science and technology. at the same time, i have all the praise for chandra babu naidu for what he has done and doing. well ...noone can escape from criticism if you come to public work... but need to learn from good work. after all we are human beings... so let us look back and realise our past mistakes...and try to correct it as soon as possible.

Name: s Uma maheswaran
Email: msu_mahesh@hotmail.com
Message: Sir, Though Clinton came to India in his end of career, ti really helped our country to gain a lot and to revive the economy through the $ 4 billion business investment and for a better strategic relationship between the countries.

Name: meenakshi sundaram
Email: sundar_kkl@123india.com
Message: I would say this visit of president of usa is new era of begining of us and indo ties.

Name: mohit aneja
Email: mohit_aneja@yahoo.com
Message: Clinton's visit was very important for the promotion of IT in India as well as the USA.As more than 50% of people working in the silicon valley in USA are Indians. This visit could help in easing providing Visas to our IT professionals.

Name: k anantha raju
Email: anantharaju@rediff.com
Message: india has been treated badly during the cold war years. now that us is after us we will do well to reciprocate. it is not as if we are giving up our russian friends. but russia has many problems on its hands and it is only natural we do not rebuff us

Name: Ajit
Email: ajitraushan@ureach.com
Message: Bill during its five day stay in India mesmerized us, public and hard nosed politicians, except communists. But what else...read on.

Anand Mahindra of Mahindra & Mahindra has pointed out a strikingly important thing. He related the Prez. visit to that of a scout who visits an unexplored land to know it, before other members of its community do so. Seen in this regard, the prez. visit was an attempt to clear all misapprehensions about India, its culture, and its people. If it was so, India has been immensely benefited by Clinton's successful tour. More free and meaningful visits from American business delegates should follow.

The renewed American's attempt to see India in a just perspective has been one of the most remarkable achievement of this tour. Carefully pondering over Clinton's visit very easily indicate that the Prez.'s efforts were mainly directed towards understanding the real strength of the country, and in what ways it can be further strengthened. He appears to have made his point at Mumbai when he urged an attempt to take efforts being undertaken in Nayala to a much wider scale to solve Indian problems in a democratic way. Are our politicians taking note that empowerment should be the order of the day; and they should change their role accordingly.

He also appreciated India's intellectual power but with a caution. Don't you think, he was sounding similar to our own politicians emphasizing growth with a social orientation. He acknowledged the fact 25% of total software engineers in the US are from AP, but at the same time, reminded India of 25 million people not having access to safe drinking water. In essence, growth has not been equitable. The lesson, use democracy in its truest sense to develop.

Now, when businessmen around the world are more sure of India, it is left to the North and South block to create an investment friendly environment in the

'Why be obsequious before Clinton?'

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