E.R. RAMACHANDRAN writes: The one-on-one breakfast talks between President Barack Obama and visiting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were understandably held in top secrecy. Even the top aides were not present.
However, the omnipresent fly on the wall was capturing the talks for posterity.
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“Aapka swagath hai, Manmohanji,” welcomed Obama hands folded in a neat namaskar.
“Dhanyavad, Obamaji. I bring greetings from one billion people!”
Lassi with pudina and kadi pattha surprised the visiting Prime Minister.
“Mr Prime Minister, if you don’t mind, I will straight away come to the point. Please tell your environment minister Jairam Ramesh to go slow in Copenhagen. He doesn’t want to accept any of our plans to reduce pollution and, instead, is taking aggressive postures.”
“He is only doing his job, Mr President. After the pollution of the environment by developed countries for a major part of a billion years, you can’t ask us, developing countries, now to save trees, rivers and glaciers in the next decade.”
Is Dr Singh unusually aggressive this morning, thought Obama.
“Manmohanji! Aap ka phir swagath hai! Please have the aloo parantha with dahi. I oversaw the preparation of the dal myself. What do you think of our ‘Af-Pak’ policy?”
“Obamaji! When I heard it first, I thought ‘Af-Pak’ was a short form for Afghan Snow in a new card board packing! Please tell me what the policy is all about.”
“Manmohanji! It is not ready yet. Secretary Clinton is studying it for the last few weeks and once she understands that, she will make a presentation to me.”
“Whatever it is, I hope it doesn’t involve arming Pakistan to its teeth so that the Government there and their terrorist friends do not launch attacks on India like they did last year.”
Did they put red chilly for decoration on dahi instead of cherry, wondered Obama? Was it Mexican or Andhra green chilly in my dal? Why is his face red all over?
“Manmohanji, aap ka phir swagath hai. Please have some suji halwa! I know it is your favourite sweet. Mrs Singh herself told this when Michelle called her up. The chef from Jalandhar flew in to Washington last night to prepare specially for you. Have some kismis and badam!”
“Thank you, Obamaji! You and Mrs Obama are as sweet as suji halwa! When you were in China, you made a joint statement with Prime Minister Hu Jintao saying, China will oversee the South Asia region and will try to ‘solve’ India-Pakistan outstanding problems. I want to know how China is qualified to interfere in our bilateral issues.”
Did the chef put salt instead of sugar in the suji halwa, wondered Obama.
‘Did we say that? Maybe I said that in China. Please ignore that. I will have a clarification issued first thing in the morning Mr Prime minister, I have made sure FBI provides all details about Headley and Rana. Your police can question them. If you want, we will both question them. Right here, over a glass of beer, OK?”
“Thank you, Mr. President, for welcoming me so many times! I want to know when Pakistan will hand over their terror suspects to us. I think Pakistan is running with the hare and hunting with the Hounds. This double game must stop.”
I think it is better to play the trump card now, thought Obama.
“Manmohanji! I have a small present for you. Different shades of blue for your pagdi; if you don’t mind will you teach me how to wear one? When I step down from the plane in Delhi, you will see me wearing one. Now regarding Copenhagen….”
“I will talk to Jairam.”
The beaming leaders were then ready for a joint ‘Meet the Press’ session.
churumuri 
The Indian government has finally laid out it’s plans for tackling climate change. They still need some debate on the detail, but overall it’s a good first step. I’m glad we’re finally showing leadership on this issue.
However the US and other developed nations are still playing truant. They are the ones who caused the problem to begin with and now they continue to hide from their responsibility despite great steps taken by developing nations.
We now need to put pressure on developed nations. Let’s get out of our comfort zones and take action.
12 December is the global day of action. I am gonna be there. Please join the movement. It’s the revolution of our era.
http://greenidol.in/volunteers/global-day-of-climate-action/
Please spread the word. It’s for our future
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Avi
I think you are wasting your time by these things. These happen at high level than you assume.
See Manmohan Singh’s attitude. Country is burning with Madhu Koda , Dantewada , Telangana , Terrorists , Judges , Floods and natural and calamities in every sphere , he is enjoying parathas there. Really don’t know how can a PM be so useless.
“However the US and other developed nations are still playing truant”
Good you have atleast some mature thoughts.
Politics in still the last resort of scoun…ls.
I suggest you to leave all these and not wasting time of people as they wasted time in Mumbai by conducting candle lighting in Mumbai recently.
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@comment above- Hey there. Imagine if people had told Gandhi this. :)
“Leave all of this alone. The British have been here for 200 years. Look we have tried to fight them in 1857 also and so many of us got killed. What will your non-violent movement achieve?”
This is why our country doesn’t move. Cause people are so apathetic. They sit back and say “oh nothing will change” Instead of standing up for their rights.
Well if you don’t mind selling your rights to corrupt politicians rather than taking a stand you don’t have to come. My post was an invite to all those who are Satyagrahis. Who are willing to make a difference and not sit at home and crib.
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Avi,
Please stay home on 12th December, 09 to save the planet. Imagine the carbon foot print you are going to leave on 12th :)
1. I guess all of you will assemble at one location in the city. That means you folks have to drive down in your SUVs …..
2. A breakfast & Lunch of Industrial Food sourced from all over the world, transported in refrigerated ships/planes/trucks and assembled in your town, i.e. McDonalds….
3. Consumption of bottled water and coolants like coke & pepsi, which are transported over hundreds of miles and chilled using Diesel Generators.
4,5, 6,7….I can go on. Get your priorities right.
For a change (if you are really serious about action) on 12th Dec., take a cold shower, don’t use any motorised transport, eat the fresh food cooked in your house (or a local stand alone restaurant).
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Hey DailyBread
actually I don’t have a car. I walk or use the bus to get around. If absolutely necessary I take an auto.
Why do you suppose there will not be simple Indian roti sabzi? Not everyone eats McDonalds or fast food. I cannot answer for other people taking part, but I do not drink bottled drinks either.
I do however use a hot shower (otherwise I would freeze at this time of year). However if my electricity came from a clean source, like a solar or wind plant, then my footprint from that would be zero too. And it is for this reason that I will take a stand – for sustainable energy and clean development.
My carbon footprint is 1.3 tonnes per year. I would like to bring it down to 0, but for that I need the government to make a change. I have made as many personal changes that I can. Now it’s time to use the tool of democracy and get our leaders to listen to us.
If you do not want to take part in a revolution it is fine. But don’t disrespect people you don’t know, who are doing all they can and more to make a difference.
PS: I am also vegetarian in case you want to point that out. It’s been 3 years since I’ve given up meat for the sake of the planet.
***
@DailyBread – if you have taken all the personal action you mention above that’s awesome! So you have would be having a low carbon footprint. But it could still be lower. How?
You have 2 options
a. stop using electricity, fuel, anything that has to be transported etc
or
b. persuade our government to ensure that our electricity comes from clean sources, our vehicles have high fuel efficiency, our appliances are energy efficient.
I choose option B. I hope you will join me to go further.
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Avi
Your vision is fine.
You make a excellent housemaker .You have all the samskaara.
I really pity testosterone brigade not acting right.
“I cannot answer for other people taking part”
This is the biggest problem. While one will be acting towards the cause while some other will be exactly the opposite and net result of all these things will go zero or even negative.
“b. persuade our government to…..”
Which government? Whose govt?
I give you one more option: instead of going right go left. You can see the plight and then come to centre. You will be balanced.
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:) I still do not understand your opinions of why one should NOT take action.
Throughout history all great positive change has come from people taking direct action
– abolition of slavery
– Indian freedom struggle
– Voting rights for women
– the black civil rights movement
If people sat at home and said I won’t support the British, would that have got India independence?
When I say our government I mean the Indian govt. If you are from somewhere else then you need to push your respective government to act.
And yes. I cannot answer for other people which is why I’m pushing for policy change. If the government makes energy efficiency a norm then automatically everyone is saving energy whether they like it or not.
If the govt. implements renewable energy, everyone is using sustainable energy if they like it or not.
Is your argument that we must not stand up for a better future for the millions of people in India and around the world? I hope not.
Peace & Love,
Avi
:)
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Avi,
Nice to e-meet you, you know how to walk the talk.
“My carbon footprint is 1.3 tonnes per year. I would like to bring it down to 0, but for that I need the government to make a change. I have made as many personal changes that I can.”
I guess the average Indian villager’s carbon footprint per year will be lesser than yours, and BTW average Indian villager also lives in the greenest possible building (green buildings). We in India have most environment friendly govts (a rating of 10 star)which by not providing electricity, roads and buses (I think the govts should start claiming carbon credits) to this average Indian are doing their bit to save the planet earth.
Wish you the best!!!!
PS: I can’t be part of this revolution; I love my Washington apples, Ice lettuce, Australian oranges, fresh olives, etc. Hope you are getting the drift….
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