President Obama: Back in his elements.

He came, talked, enchanted and went away. The hype, minute-by-minute ‘breaking news’ and the live commentaries on the visit of President Obama are over. The Indian media did go overboard with the live coverage and analysis of the visit. President Obama for sure was at his vintage best, not withstanding the drubbing he received back home.  The three day visit by President Obama have calmed many doubting Indian minds, have reassured that the world’s strongest President did talk in their terms than in American minds. The Presidential visit did have its moments of glory, the address to the joint parliament session, being a ‘historic’ one.

The media and political analysts have already hailed the visit as a fruitful one. The nation did see its Prime Minister with his broadest smile these days. At least for the first time the left parties were in praise for the speech of the President and the parliamentarians were not an embarrassment for the nation. President Obama also did enjoy the presence of the left leaders.

His speech in the parliament was a carefully crafted one. It did once again root himself as a powerful orator. The teleprompter was in place and he articulated in measured tones the right things for the audience before him and the millions who watched him on television. There was philosophy, careful narration of history, personal memories, flattering recounting of the power of India and he did not ever put his foot wrong. The thirty-minute speech will be considered historic by its tone and content. The address was received with rapt attention punctuated occasionally by the applause, an achievement in itself considering the noisy nature of the Indian parliament.  Ms Meira Kumar, the speaker of the Lower House of the parliament summed up, “Some moments are recorded in history as points of reference...this is that moment.” The last president of America could not address in the parliament as the left vowed to disrupt him. This time around there was good measure of admiration instead of interruption.

The hoopla surrounding the visit has died down. Other pieces of news have already acquired centre stage. India and the USA have already vowed to face terrorism with great understanding and participation, the trade ties are going to be strengthened, the seat in the security council  receive a boost by the USA, so goes on the merits of the visit. All the good work has to be followed up and that would be the real test to face. India does look forward to see whether the US President will match his rhetorical skills with his actions.

http://www.enduringamerica.com/home/2010/11/9/video-and-transcript-president-obamas-speech-to-the-indian-p.html