Sunday, November 07, 2010
*Obama’s Pak Bombshell hits India * * * *While India’s chattering panelist in practically all English channels had been focusing on how Obama is deliberately sidelining Pakistan – some openly called it a Pee word – while for them all across the board there was nothing more important than for Obama to denigrate Pakistan and force it on the 26/11 carnage. All through his first day, Obama kept a stoic silence and went through the 26/11 remembrance ceremonies with stock solemnity. However, on the second day in a Town Hall meeting at Mumbai’s 100-year old St. Xavier’s College, Obama took the question from a young college student --- why US is so much allied to Pakistan that so far Pakistan is not declared as a terrorist state. A wave of expectation went through the gathered crowd in the College grounds as well as millions watching the live telecast all around India, Pakistan and possibly world over, so how the cornered US President will justify America’s very confused and very convoluted relationship with Pakistan. However, nobody expected what Obama had to say. He came out in a very matter of fact soft tones and turned the table on India and Indians, putting all the onus of them to make peace with Pakistan as the first priority, if they do not want to get embroiled in a disastrous future to having a failed state as its neighbor. He said, it is in India’s best interest that its neighbor Pakistan should become a peaceful and stable country, so that India’s own progress towards a future of economic growth and prosperity can be assured of a steady and peaceful progression. Commentators on all English Channels exploded with open hostility while the speech was still on. Hawks like Times of India’s Washington correspondent termed it as giving in to Pakistan blackmail. Earlier the press community was mighty pleased that Obama has completely bypassed Pakistan in his trip. However, what Obama said at the Town Hall meeting was sure to gladden the heart of each and every Pakistani, as like the Indians, they too thrive on hating their neighbor without even the leaders realizing how much poisonous this propaganda on both sides is not only feeding the hatred but even affecting the long term stability, peace and security of the entire region. There is no sign that Indian government uses its vast powers to advise the media to eschew the hate propaganda and set an example for Pakistan’s so-called free press to follow the lead.* * * *Obama has clearly put out that India being the bigger nation, should take lead in setting a process, first to tackle smaller problems and then to move on to bigger problems. Obama said, he wants both countries to join in a new era of peace and friendship, so that the region could progress in an atmosphere of full security.* * * *There is no doubt that India’s hawks are shaken. However, even in the large community of media commentators, there are many like Indian Express Editor, Shekhar Gupta, who had the courage to support the line that it is in India’s best interest to be magnanimous and indulgent toward Pakistan’s fledgling government to ensure that it earns the trust and confidence of its people, by ushering a new era of friendly relations between the two neighbors, obviating the threat of terror and war in the subcontinent.* * * *Ghulam Muhammed, Mumbai* *[email protected]* *<http://www.ghulammuhammed.blogspot.com>* * * -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "humanrights movement" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/humanrights-movement?hl=en.
