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| Edited By: Meghna Sharma |Source: DNA |Updated: Nov 05, 2010, 02:23 AM IST
“Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn”, is what Mumbaikars have to say about the much-anticipated and much-hyped visit of US president Barack Obama.
“Why are we making such a big deal about him? Do our president or PM get the same treatment when they visit the US?” asks Ruta Godbole, a 38-year-old remedial educator from Dadar.
She adds, “However, the good thing about his visit to the city is that authorities are busy doing their ‘duties’. At least certain parts of the city will be cleaned up.”
Godbole is not alone in thanking Obama for being responsible for the ‘clean-up’ act. “He (Obama) should visit us more often and then maybe we’ll have world-class facilities as promised by the authorities,” jokes Praveen Singh, a 40-year-old businessman from Borivli.
The officials are busy sanitising and securing the city as the ‘world’s most powerful man’ lands in the city. But there are a few who are keeping their fingers crossed and hoping that the visit would turn out to be more than just a routine visit by a head of state.
“We’ll just wait and watch what happens after he is gone. But we hope that Indo-US ties improve,” says Godbole.
As for the rest, Obama’s sojourn is nothing but a ‘feel-good’ visit by the American president. “I’m not expecting anything from him as I don’t think anything substantial will come out of the visit,” says 19-year-old student Nivedita Acharya.
Like any other politician, he is being diplomatic and focusing on deals which will eventually benefit his country, Acharya says.
“He isn’t a ‘friend’ of India or Pakistan. We must remember that he’s only going to lay emphasis on America’s interests. We shouldn’t get excited over the fact that he’s visiting us and avoiding Pakistan,” says Farhan Lakdawala, an 18-year-old student from CST. “We are just wasting money on his security,” adds Lakdawala.
Overall, the citizens are not expecting anything from Obama’s brief stay here or even from his visit to the Capital Nonetheless, the ‘Yes, we can’ man still has many fans in the city. “He is the most dynamic of the lot (politicians) and has a certain charm,” says Premi Noronha, a 49-year-old personal assitant from Borivli.
“Everyone knows what George W Bush did to the world. And as for Clinton, he was busy with ‘other’ activities,” says Godbole, who feels that Obama scores over former US presidents as he is a family man and has a clean image. This quality, she says, will help Obama in the long run.
Obama’s popularity may be dipping back home but the aam janta here loves him and hopes that he will turn a new leaf. “The initial (post-election) hype has died down, but people must remember that he came into power when the US economy was going through a rough phase. Let’s just wait and watch and give the man some credit,” says Praveen Soni, a 35-year-old businessman from Malad.
Rohini Joseph, a 26-year-old research editor and Kausar Ladha, a 35-year-old business development manager, feel the reason for Obama’s image taking a hit is his inability to fulfil the promises he made during his election campaign.
“He was seen as the ‘change’ in world politics and there has been too much pressure on him to live up to all those expectations. He is trying hard to do so, but no one seems to give him anymore time,” says Ladha.
Joseph, on her part, says “The cute, likeable Obama is only two years into his presidency, so he should be evaluated with an open mind.”
“Every coin has two sides and it’s the same with America’s policies — a few have worked in our favour, while some haven’t,” says Shariq Khan, a 35-year-old property consultant from Andheri.
Obama’s protectionist measures have left many in India in dire straits. Given that the global economic downturn didn’t affect India all that much, Obama’s visit might help improve the bilateral relations among the two nations.
“He has to be more open-minded and shouldn’t try to counter what our government has to offer. He must realise that skilled migrants from India add value to the American economy as well,” says Wadala resident Anand Singh, a 27-year-old wealth manager.
Amit Sobhani, a 31-year-old manager from Cuffe Parade echoes Singh’s views.
“So far, Obama’s policies haven’t benefitted India much. But you never know, something positive may happen during the course of his visit.”
Like one of the respondents beautifully summed up, “Everyone wants to be a part of the Indian success story as our markets are doing so well. Hence, the visit...”
