Telecast of Obama speech leaves audience spellbound

NEW DELHI - Loud applause, words of appreciation and a standing ovation followed US President Barack Obamas address to parliamentarians that left the audience spellbound at its live telecast at the American Center here Monday.

I have been to the US for an exchange programme during my graduation. I have attended his speeches in America also, but hearing him live from the Indian parliament is an incredible experience, 22-year-old Arundhati Sridhar, a student of Delhi University, told IANS.

We students have a lot of hopes from this visit. There are so many of us who want to go to the US for higher studies. This visit has placed India on a global stage, Sridhar added.

Nearly 100 people, including library members, students, journalists, attended the telecast of Obamas address.

Some students turned up to refresh their political awareness also.

I was here to get a clear view about the US president’s stand on India-Pakistan relations. Not a really satisfactory answer, but it was great to hear from him talk about India and US walk hand-in-hand and creation of new jobs, said Piyush Bhardwaj, 22, a student of law from Bangalore.

Obama engages you in that much needed one-to-one interaction. And when a world leader like him talks about Gandhian values, its a proud moment for every Indian, Bhardwaj added.

What students in Delhi really missed was a visit by the US president to the capitals colleges and universities.

I think Mumbai students are indeed fortunate to have an interaction with such a dynamic leader. Concentrating on the youth is one of the main things our leaders need to do. Delhi may be lucky next time, said Mohammad Akalakh, 25, a student of literature at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi.