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Obama strikes a Hindi chord with 'Namaste' and 'Swagat'
PTI 25 November 2009, 07:43pm IST
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WASHINGTON: Seeking to strike a chord with Indians, US President Barack
Obama twice turned to Hindi as he hosted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the
White House.
The 48-year-old American leader set the mood for the day when he greeted
everyone at the beginning of a joint press conference with Singh with a
traditional Indian "Namaste".
He went on to describe India as a "rising and responsible" power and
voiced confidence that it will assume its rightful place as a global leader in
this century.
In the evening, as he raised the toast along with Singh at the
high-profile state dinner, the first black American President reached out to
India by
greeting the audience in Hindi with "Aapka Swagat Hai" (you are welcome).
While Singh wished the Americans -"a happy Thanksgiving," marked on the
fourth Thursday of November in the US, Obama pointed out that the White
House had celebrated both Diwali and the birthday of Guru Nanak for the first
time this year.
"Tonight, we gather again, for the first State Dinner of my presidency —
with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Mrs Gursharan Kaur, as we
celebrate the great and growing partnership between the United States and
India,"
he said.
Obama said the bond between India and the US includes more than two
million Indian-Americans who enrich every corner of the US — leaders in
government, science, industry and the arts — "some of whom join us tonight".
The joint statement by the two leaders also mentioned the "vibrant
linkages between their peoples, which are a unique asset for both countries,
and
are reflected in the role played by the Indian-American community."
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US President Barack Obama set the mood as he greeted everyone with a
'Namaste' before a press meet with PM Manmohan Singh. In the evening at the
state dinner, he raised the toast with "Aapka Swagat Hai".
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