Melvin's blog

Nshima & Curry

Melvin's  Blog

Nshima & Curry

CLINTON ENJOYS POPULARITY IN INDIA

President Clinton recently visited my native
land, India, the first U.S. leader in more than
two decades to set foot in the world’s
largest democracy, where Mahatma
Gandhi’s principles of nonviolence are still
valued, as shown by the country’s new
motto: "We have nuclear weapons. Don’t
mess with us!"

Clinton’s five-day visit was designed partly
to persuade Indian leaders to seek peace
with neighboring Pakistan, which has also
conducted nuclear tests and is eager to
help India control its population growth.

Clinton traveled with his daughter, Chelsea,
and his mother-in-law, Dorothy Rodham,
leaving the First Lady, Hillary, in America,
just to make sure Al Gore didn’t do anything
crazy.

Clinton received a warm welcome in India
-- with many women showering him with
flowers -- prompting him to consider, at
least for a few minutes, whether to
eventually retire there. "India is a wonderful
country," he said. "It has nice scenery,
attractive women, low taxes, attractive
women, delicious food and, most
importantly, attractive women." When he
heard that Indian women have won three
Miss. World titles in recent years, Clinton
said, "That’s really impressive. How much
do houses here cost?"

Visiting the Central Hall of Parliament in
New Delhi, Clinton was mobbed by
politicians eager to shake his hand. "I was
pleased," Clinton said. "I never realized
India had so many Democrats."

One member of parliament dived over a
table to shake Clinton’s hand. "I can’t
believe I got to shake his hand," the Indian
politician exclaimed. "I touched the hand
that touched Monica."

When Clinton wasn’t mingling with excited
politicians, he was enjoying the exotic
sights of India. He and his entourage
visited the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve,
where they spotted two Royal Bengal
tigers. Clinton warned Chelsea not to get
too close. "They’re dangerous," he said.
"Almost as dangerous as Charlton Heston."

Soon after leaving the reserve, Chelsea
spotted another animal and shouted, "Look,
Dad! What’s that strange animal?"
"I’m not sure," Clinton said, "but I think they
call it a cow. We even have some in
America. But I don’t think the Washington
Zoo has any."

Clinton spent several hours marveling at the
beauty of the Taj Mahal, a white marble
monument built in the 17th century by
Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a symbol
of his love for his wife. "He built this for his
wife?" Clinton asked in awe. "The biggest
thing I’ve ever built for Hillary is a doghouse.
And I had to sleep in it."

Clinton and Chelsea also found time for a
lot of shopping, buying pashmina shawls,
wool jackets and silk carpets at one New
Delhi store. The store’s owner tried to
persuade Clinton to buy more carpets, but
he resisted. "We don’t want too many
carpets in the White House," Clinton said.
"I want to be able to hear Hillary’s footsteps."

Clinton got a good taste of the spicy Indian
cuisine, eating so much food at one
restaurant that the manager remarked, "I
knew he was the world’s most powerful
man, but I didn’t know he’s also the world’s
hungriest. And I thought my goats ate too
much."

Overall, the trip was a success, though
Clinton failed to get India to renounce
nuclear weapons. Said one Indian
politician: "If Mr. Clinton doesn’t tell us how
to use our nuclear technology, we won’t tell
him how to use his cigars."

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