Obama is in India

[Vikrant]

Statistikhengst

Here is a video of Obama placing wreath at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. The commentary is in Hindi. Mute and watch the video .

 

[Vikrant]

too bad he didn't think so much of France. Notice how they hop, skipped and jumped on a moments notice for a vacation, I mean funeral

And here's Negative Nancy. Any other time and she'd be bitching about socialist France, while shoving freedumb fries in her face.

There is a quite a bit of logistics involved before a U.S. president can travel overseas. This was the major reason why Obama could not make it to France. Relations between France and the U.S. are just as strong as they ever were.

 

[Vikrant]

Statistikhengst

Here is a video of Obama having tea at Hyderabad House. There is no audio - just the video.

 

[Vikrant]

Statistikhengst

Here is the last video for tonight. This is a video of Obama and First Lady's reception at the President's House in New Delhi. This one has commentary both in Hindi and English. The commentary is kind of entertaining - especially the talking points. Just fast forward to the frame where Obama and Michelle arrive. If I have some energy left after work tomorrow, I will post more.

 

[Carla_Danger]

Chakram, chakram.

Some common characteristics between Ahimsa and Tikkun Olam.

Our world is small and we are all homo sapiens.

Nice to hear from you, भाई.

It is interesting that you mentioned Tikkun Olam because essentially that is what Modi and Obama are trying to do. They are trying to pave the path for a better future for people of the U.S. and India; Modi said thatthis will benefit the world as well.

What is your impression of Modi now that he has been in office for a while?

Not bad for a guy who used to be tea vendor

Modi?

दिलचस्प

Where did you learn to write Hindi like that?

I have to say I underestimated him. My thinking was the guy does not have any impressive education and he was a tea vendor. So I was not sure how he was going to fare against other much more sophisticated heads of states. But it seems like he is doing all right.

मैं उनके शाकाहारी भोजन बाहर की कोशिश करने के लिए पंजाब की यात्रा करना चाहते हैं।

 

[Statistikhengst]

Statistikhengst

Here is a video of Obama having tea at Hyderabad House. There is no audio - just the video.

If I recall correctly, former Pres. Bush and former PM Singh also met there, I think, in 2006 or 2007. I recall reading in college that it is the preferred residence for meeting foreign dignitaries, but there are 3 or 4 other such residences as well. Didn't the last NIzam (Osman) live there?

 

[Statistikhengst]

Statistikhengst

Here is the last video for tonight. This is a video of Obama and First Lady's reception at the President's House in New Delhi. This one has commentary both in Hindi and English. The commentary is kind of entertaining - especially the talking points. Just fast forward to the frame where Obama and Michelle arrive. If I have some energy left after work tomorrow, I will post more.

Cool! An armed Indian bodyguard squad on horseback! Pres. Obama steps out of a batmobile at 19:37, the salute of the interservices guard of honor is at 21:00. The commander of the honor guard is a female (and a beautiful one, at that)!! What a shame that the respective national anthems are presented only with brass band, without text, for most do not know how stunningly beautiful the text to the Indian national anthem is. It is one of the very few national anthems in the world with absolutely no reference to war, military might, victory in battle or such. The kind of victory spoken of here is the victory of the heart. Here the text to Jana-Gana-Mana:

"Victory to the ruler of people's mind and dispenser of India's destiny.
Thy name rouses the hearts of Punjab, Sind,
Gujarat, Maratha, Dravida, Odisha and Bengal;
It echoes in the hills of the Vindhyas and Himalayas,
mingles in the music of Jamuna and Ganges and is
chanted by the waves of the Indian Sea.
They pray for thy blessings and sing thy praise.
Victory to the saviour of the people and dispenser of India's destiny.
Victory, victory, victory to thee."

It is also one of the only national anthems to have been composed within the 20th century. It also has an interesting tonality: starts with the Fundament, or tonic-chord (in this case: C-major), but ends on the ii-chord (d-minor). I often ask myself why brass bands in India play so badly, but then I once bought a Euphonium over Ebay from India and when it came, I discovered that it was in such bad shape, it was unplayable. LOL. My then-wife ended up turning it into a huge potted-plant holder!!

The female field commander has an interesting way of marching when she accompanies Pres. Obama away from the viewing stand (starting at 23:27). What is the history behind the swaying of the arms? I have not seen that before.

It looks like the American diplomatic staff, probably that is permanently stationed in India, is also there. Obama greeted the Indian staff, Modi greeted the American staff.

Nice red-carpet treatment. Tell me, is that just dirt where there is no grass, or is that maybe sandstone?

Vikrant - I think you did USMB a great service by posting this information. Thanks to you for taking the time to put this stuff out there.

 

[Statistikhengst]

It is interesting that you mentioned Tikkun Olam because essentially that is what Modi and Obama are trying to do. They are trying to pave the path for a better future for people of the U.S. and India; Modi said thatthis will benefit the world as well.

What is your impression of Modi now that he has been in office for a while?

Not bad for a guy who used to be tea vendor

Modi?

दिलचस्प

Where did you learn to write Hindi like that?

I have to say I underestimated him. My thinking was the guy does not have any impressive education and he was a tea vendor. So I was not sure how he was going to fare against other much more sophisticated heads of states. But it seems like he is doing all right.

मैं उनके शाकाहारी भोजन बाहर की कोशिश करने के लिए पंजाब की यात्रा करना चाहते हैं।

What, Punjabis eat no meat?!?!?!

 

[Statistikhengst]

 

[Carla_Danger]

What is your impression of Modi now that he has been in office for a while?

Not bad for a guy who used to be tea vendor

Modi?

दिलचस्प

Where did you learn to write Hindi like that?

I have to say I underestimated him. My thinking was the guy does not have any impressive education and he was a tea vendor. So I was not sure how he was going to fare against other much more sophisticated heads of states. But it seems like he is doing all right.

मैं उनके शाकाहारी भोजन बाहर की कोशिश करने के लिए पंजाब की यात्रा करना चाहते हैं।

What, Punjabis eat no meat?!?!?!

They have a variety of vegetarian/vegan foods, with wonderful spices to choose from in India. Plus, I love learning to cook international dishes. I can make a mean butternut squash and chickpea dish (spicy) and I make chola Tikki patties, topped with a wonderful cilantro chutney. Oh yeah, and my hummas is pefect!!! As a vegetarian, and sometimes vegan, I'm grateful for these spicy dishes.

http://www.manjulaskitchen.com/

Now back to the topic...

I understand that Obama is the first American leader to be honored as chief guest at India's Republic Day festivities.

 

[HenryBHough]

What?

India doesn't serve dog?

Hope He brought His royal lunch.......

 

[Statistikhengst]

What?

India doesn't serve dog?

Hope He brought His royal lunch.......

Yes, this kind of commentary is the very best that the Right has to offer, which explains this very simple math:

332-206.

 

[Statistikhengst]

Not bad for a guy who used to be tea vendor

Modi?

दिलचस्प

Where did you learn to write Hindi like that?

I have to say I underestimated him. My thinking was the guy does not have any impressive education and he was a tea vendor. So I was not sure how he was going to fare against other much more sophisticated heads of states. But it seems like he is doing all right.

मैं उनके शाकाहारी भोजन बाहर की कोशिश करने के लिए पंजाब की यात्रा करना चाहते हैं।

What, Punjabis eat no meat?!?!?!

They have a variety of vegetarian/vegan foods, with wonderful spices to choose from in India. Plus, I love learning to cook international dishes. I can make a mean butternut squash and chickpea dish (spicy) and I make chola Tikki patties, topped with a wonderful cilantro chutney. Oh yeah, and my hummas is pefect!!! As a vegetarian, and sometimes vegan, I'm grateful for these spicy dishes.

http://www.manjulaskitchen.com/

Now back to the topic...

I understand that Obama is the first American leader to be honored as chief guest at India's Republic Day festivities.

Yepp, he is. Cool, eh?

 

[Vikrant]

Statistikhengst

Here is a video of Obama having tea at Hyderabad House. There is no audio - just the video.

If I recall correctly, former Pres. Bush and former PM Singh also met there, I think, in 2006 or 2007. I recall reading in college that it is the preferred residence for meeting foreign dignitaries, but there are 3 or 4 other such residences as well. Didn't the last NIzam (Osman) live there?

It is quite possible that Bush and Singh met there as well. Hyderabad House is just one of the many houses in New Delhi. This one is used for important dignitaries like Obama. In old days they were used by royals. Nowadays they are property of Indian government.

 

[Vikrant]

It is interesting that you mentioned Tikkun Olam because essentially that is what Modi and Obama are trying to do. They are trying to pave the path for a better future for people of the U.S. and India; Modi said thatthis will benefit the world as well.

What is your impression of Modi now that he has been in office for a while?

Not bad for a guy who used to be tea vendor

Modi?

दिलचस्प

Where did you learn to write Hindi like that?

I have to say I underestimated him. My thinking was the guy does not have any impressive education and he was a tea vendor. So I was not sure how he was going to fare against other much more sophisticated heads of states. But it seems like he is doing all right.

मैं उनके शाकाहारी भोजन बाहर की कोशिश करने के लिए पंजाब की यात्रा करना चाहते हैं।

Very nice

 

[Votto]

CNN has a nice video of Obama and the first lady arriving in India.

On high-profile India visit Obama says progress made on nuclear sticking point - CNN.com

Thanks for the info.

Now tell us something that can actually benefit us, like how we can keep him in India?

 

[Vikrant]

Statistikhengst

Here is the last video for tonight. This is a video of Obama and First Lady's reception at the President's House in New Delhi. This one has commentary both in Hindi and English. The commentary is kind of entertaining - especially the talking points. Just fast forward to the frame where Obama and Michelle arrive. If I have some energy left after work tomorrow, I will post more.

Cool! An armed Indian bodyguard squad on horseback! Pres. Obama steps out of a batmobile at 19:37, the salute of the interservices guard of honor is at 21:00. The commander of the honor guard is a female (and a beautiful one, at that)!! What a shame that the respective national anthems are presented only with brass band, without text, for most do not know how stunningly beautiful the text to the Indian national anthem is. It is one of the very few national anthems in the world with absolutely no reference to war, military might, victory in battle or such. The kind of victory spoken of here is the victory of the heart. Here the text to Jana-Gana-Mana:

"Victory to the ruler of people's mind and dispenser of India's destiny.
Thy name rouses the hearts of Punjab, Sind,
Gujarat, Maratha, Dravida, Odisha and Bengal;
It echoes in the hills of the Vindhyas and Himalayas,
mingles in the music of Jamuna and Ganges and is
chanted by the waves of the Indian Sea.
They pray for thy blessings and sing thy praise.
Victory to the saviour of the people and dispenser of India's destiny.
Victory, victory, victory to thee."

It is also one of the only national anthems to have been composed within the 20th century. It also has an interesting tonality: starts with the Fundament, or tonic-chord (in this case: C-major), but ends on the ii-chord (d-minor). I often ask myself why brass bands in India play so badly, but then I once bought a Euphonium over Ebay from India and when it came, I discovered that it was in such bad shape, it was unplayable. LOL. My then-wife ended up turning it into a huge potted-plant holder!!

The female field commander has an interesting way of marching when she accompanies Pres. Obama away from the viewing stand (starting at 23:27). What is the history behind the swaying of the arms? I have not seen that before.

It looks like the American diplomatic staff, probably that is permanently stationed in India, is also there. Obama greeted the Indian staff, Modi greeted the American staff.

Nice red-carpet treatment. Tell me, is that just dirt where there is no grass, or is that maybe sandstone?

Vikrant - I think you did USMB a great service by posting this information. Thanks to you for taking the time to put this stuff out there.

Every army has its own way of marching. It is just there for the sake of discipline. That arm swinging is at least 200 years old.

The lady secret service agent who was guarding Obama's car looked pretty hawkish.

That area where there is no grass is basically made of small stones and fine sand.

Your post was pretty informative. I just wanted to add that India's national anthem was written by famous Indian poet Rabinder Nath Tagore.

 

[Vikrant]

Statistikhengst

Here is the video of Republic Day Parade. Obama is the chief guest. The beginning part is mostly for Indians. Every year on January the 26th, Republic Day, Indian PM goes to the memorial dedicated to Indian soldiers who lost their lives. There are two torches (Joyoti) that are always lit. The memorial is called Amar Jawan Joyoti. Amar means immortal. Jawan means soldier. Obama arrives much later after all these sacred ceremonies are done. So you can skip it. But if you decided to watch, you will see the guys in read uniform on the horses. They are lancers. They are part of old Indian tradition. This whole video is full of formalities and tradition. So it can get a bit boring. Feel free to fast forward or you will fall asleep.

 

[Vikrant]

Obama watching the Republic Day Parade.

 

[Vikrant]

It looks like somebody said something funny.

China cautions India over Indo-US nuclear deal The Indian Express