“Be free, let’s have fun and let’s talk”, is how he broke the ice at a closed door with the 16 young entrepreneurs before a general audience with students.
HYDERABAD: Meeting the world’s most powerful man was something of an overwhelming experience for the 16 young business persons who met US President George W Bush at the Indian School of Business (ISB). Notwithstanding his larger than life image and presence the participants however returned totally impressed by the friendly and jovial nature of the President.
“Be free, let’s have fun and let’s talk”, is how he broke the ice at a closed door with the 16 young entrepreneurs before a general audience with students and faculty in the atrium of the ISB. “I was more or less speechless,” said 29 year old businessman Seshavatharam Manepalli, executive director, Suryachakra Power Corporation. “What he was saying just did not register initially,” he added.
Surprised in the first place that he was picked out of the blue to meet Bush, the overawed youngster however did not hesitate ask a probing question. “There is a lot at stake where environment is concerned. Then why is your stance against ratifying the Kyoto protocol?” he asked. The response was non-committal.
For CEO of technology services company AppLabs, Sashi Reddy the experience of meeting Bush was little different.
“On TV he comes through as tough talking guy but in person he is very friendly and jovial,” he said reliving the moments. Though we were aware that he was the world’s most powerful person, he did not let us feel it at any moment, he explained.
Sashi Reddy was the happiest person when President Bush made it clear that he was not for protectionism. This means outsourcing can continue unhindered, he felt.
Likewise for SPC Biotech Managing Director Shankar Prasad the prospect of meeting the “emperor” of the World was a great opportunity. “It was a great feeling and it went off very well,” added Pragati Printer’s Harsha Paruchuri.
For many of the 16 young businesspersons the invitation to meet up with Bush came as a surprise. They were selected from an initial list of 150 which was further short listed to 30. Going by the list, the criterion was that all the participants were either educated in the US or their businesses had an American connection.
The 16 also included Dr Reddy’s Labs MD & COO Satish Reddy, Satyam chairman Ramalinga Raju’s son and MD infrastructure company Maytas Teja Raju, and industrialist Ravi Sanghi’s son.
US to open consulate in Hyderabad: The United States will soon open another consulate in India, this time in Hyderabad, Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy announced after the visit of US President George W Bush.
The first indication of the decision came from none other than Bush himself at the ISB when he answered in the affirmative responding to a question. “Yes, you have got a deal”, he said turning to his left to ask Ambassador David Mulford, “is that right?” After the confirmation he turned to look at Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and said, “Now it’s up to the Secretary of State to fund it!” It will be the fourth US consulate in India.
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