Meeting an American President

Meeting an American President

FPJ BureauUpdated: Friday, May 31, 2019, 08:53 PM IST
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“Do you think he is going to meet you or even notice you?” asked my soul mate Patricia, cynically, as I ironed the creases of my trousers. “Well he was the President of the USA and I owe it to him to be well turned out,” I replied. “I thought, we women are fussy about clothes and now look at you, nervous like a school boy!” she ruled. I thought, it is one of those days, when I must emulate the Dalai Lama’s equanimity.

Rarely do ordinary mortals like me, get an opportunity to shake the hands with the royalty or the mighty and powerful who rule the world.  I was impressed with how warmly he shook hands with anyone and everyone present at a 2010 Harvard Alumni Dubai meeting. He carried his 86 years with levity; his handshake was remarkably firm and warm. He dazzled us with his energy, vitality and desire to meet everyone.

“I am a Professor and a peanut farmer!” he asserted with delight. Like all noteworthy leaders, he connected with everyone in the room. A smile, a nod, a kind word, a touch, a handshake, a gesture.

I could not resist asking him, how would America manage its debt of almost 13 trillion USD, as much as the GDP of 13 trillion USD? This, had major ramifications for the global economy! Secondly, how could the Afghanistan imbroglio be resolved expeditiously, to avoid further deaths and injuries?

“The answer to both your questions, is that I do not know the answers,” he replied, with disarming frankness. Then, he expressed confidence how America with its history and fortitude will eventually resolve these issues. He analysed lucidly the factors leading to these problems. His oratory and sense of purpose were spellbinding!

The President has sharp, clear, azure eyes, which literally X-ray a person and his motivations! When he talks or looks at a person, it is as if, he is fully focussed on him. This is, a fantastic leadership quality. He has the magic to make  you feel, you are the only person in that room!

Family values run deep in his life. He was profuse in his admiration for his elegant wife, Rosalynn, who had stood by him for 64 years. And he was joyous that his family, including the grand children numbered 35. They all met and celebrated every year.

The plight of the barricaded Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, was of intense  concern to him. He underscored the need to address this heart-rending human situation on a priority basis. He was enthralled  that many of us had read and admired his book, “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid”.  He was courageous in asserting, that the walls around the Palestinians, must come down.

He was clearly pained by the abandonment of the 1978 Camp David Agreement, involving a comprehensive framework for Middle East peace, envisioning the return of occupied territories to the Palestinians.

He acknowledged forthrightly that some of his positions on the Middle East problems, were not very popular. But, he believed in the sustainability of his views. Here was a mature statesman, expounding the virtues of peace and humaneness, at the cost of not being universally popular. President Obama recently asserted that peace in the

American flag background – shot and lit in studio

American flag background – shot and lit in studio |

Middle East was “doable” by 2014. “Be courageous and do what’s right,” was his advice to President Obama, in ensuring peace between Israel and Palestinians.

A Palestinian friend, told him, “Sir, my parents hail from Palestine, and they appreciate your endeavours to help the Palestinians.” He turned most attentive and wanted to know more about her parents, where they hailed from. “Please convey my regards to them,” he requested her. She was ecstatic, with his concerns and courtesies!

He spoke with passion and eloquence, about the work that his Centre was doing to protect human rights and alleviate hunger, poverty, HIV, wars in 75 countries in Latin America, Vietnam, Africa, Asia etc. “Our goals are to wage peace, fight disease and build hope. All of you can help,” he counselled, “each of you can be an  effective change agent”.

Naturally, we were inspired. Here is a man, who became the President of USA, won the Nobel Prize for Peace for his endeavours to usher peace in Middle East, energetically espouses the cause of homeless Palestinians, has stood by his wife for 69 years, built  a family of 35 members, has authored 29 books and touches everyone with his vibrant intellect and genteel humility!

He signs his name, quite simply, as Jimmy Carter!

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