[world-vedic] Clinton savours India visit

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Clinton savours India visit/via http://www.deccan.com

San Francisco: Back home after a historic trip to South Asia, which

included the first visit by a US President to India in 22 years, Bill

Clinton is raving about the womenfolk of Nayala.

 

"I could have danced all night," the President told a cozy gathering of

America's elite at a private dinner in a Manhattan residence on

Thursday night. Admitting he was bowled over by a flock of colourfully

attired Rajasthani women, Clinton kept guests entertained with equally

colourful tales of the time he broke into a jig with these ladies, his

providential sighting of not one but two tigers at Ranthambore and the

fragrant garlands that were repeatedly placed around his neck.

 

"He was completely taken aback by the progress in India's villages and

was very impressed with the vast knowledge of the rural women with whom

he interacted. He said he couldn't imagine a village in India being so

advanced," Sant Chatwal, a prominent New York hotelier who was the only

Indian-American guest at the dinner said.

 

Chatwal, the founder of Bombay Palace restaurants, an international

restaurant chain in the US, Canada, the UK, Mexico, Europe and Asia,

said the President felt the wisdom the village women had acquired

through "natural education" was more in-depth than the kind of

knowledge basic education could provide.

 

Chatwal, who is also involved with budget hotels in New York City and

serves as the president of Hampshire Hotels and Resorts, said Clinton

admitted that prior to his visit he had not fathomed how vast India

actually is.

 

"I wish I had gone there earlier… it was unbelievable," Clinton told

the gathering. He spent five days in India visiting five different

cities.On a more serious note, a relaxed Clinton said he was pleased

with India's response to his keenness that India and the US work as

partners.

 

"They responded very well… this is the beginning of a relationship and

both sides will have to work on it," he said.Asked whether he was

considering removing all sanctions imposed on India after the nuclear

tests of May 1998, Clinton replied:

 

"They (the sanctions) are just a technicality… we really would like to

do something for India.""His interest in India was genuine," Mr Chatwal

admitted.

 

"Though he didn't mention India, Mr Clinton said he was extremely

concerned about `10 or 12 countries' who are playing with nuclear

weapons, and felt this was a potential threat which the world faced,"

Mr Chatwal said.

 

"He said that it was his duty as President to see that the other

countries of the world didn't have to pay for unnecessary acts of

foolishness," he added.Mr Clinton said he had advised Pakistan that it

was in its interest, being "too weak (economically)," to maintain good

relations with its neighbours.

 

For the President it's hasta la vista, India. Keen to make another

visit to India, Mr Clinton said while he will not be able to make this

visit during his term as President of the United States of America, he

would definitely go back as a regular American citizen.