An American contrast in Trump tedium

THESE are the last few months of the Obama presidency and as each day passes, one wonders what the future will bring to the US after this remarkable man demits office. The crass, almost abusive, language that Donald Trump dishes out day after day may amuse or disgust us but, if the crowd response is anything to go by, middle-class America seems to love it. Few politicians would dare to spew the venom that Trump has been hurling at Hispanics and Muslims. Contrast all this with the persuasive speeches that helped Obama overcome the traditional bias against African Americans and Muslims (he is a bit of both) of the American electorate. Remember his mesmeric, ‘Yes, we can!’ speech and the crowd’s rapturous response? Here is a man who actually delivered on what he promised.

Obama has had the courage and sagacity to make friendly overtures to two countries that have long haunted the conscience of America’s liberal class: Cuba and Vietnam. After years of silence over America’s dirty role in the Vietnam war and the economic hardship caused to Cuba because of American trade sanctions, Obama flew in with a plane-load of charm to signal that this kind of hate-politics needs closure in a new century. The long-term benefits of these two visits will be revealed over time but surely it is a great way to end a brilliant Presidential reign. If he were not already a Nobel laureate, he would win one now. 

There is more to this extraordinary man. Recently, while on a state visit to Vietnam, he took time off to try a popular pork-noodle soup in the local market. His companion was the celebrated foodie Anthony Bourdain and the two tucked into this delicious street food at a modest Vietnamese ‘dhaba’. Obama pulled out a plastic stool to perch on and happily swigged a bottle of cheap beer as he wielded his chopsticks. The owner was so gobsmacked that she forgot to take a selfie. Similarly, Justin Trudeau, Canada’s young PM, won several hearts when he offered a public apology to his Indian compatriots for the century-old Komagata Maru affair. Sikhs across the world have long held this episode against the Canadians and years of anger melted away with that one gesture. When will our politicians learn the importance of a public apology? Judging by the arrogance of the present lot, never.

Our own President is visiting China (another historic visit) but I can bet you that no Indian leader has the generosity to step out of (his) party’s line and make a heartfelt statement. Just look at what senior the Congress party members have declared about the recent election setbacks: we need a change but we cannot change our leadership! Moreover, our netas need the full regalia of a bumptious security staff in order to feel sufficiently important. Even in Noida, you often see a flag and siren-studded Alto proudly declaring the presence of a simple ‘Gram Pradhan’ who basks inside. So if a neta-son or daughter decides to visit a place like Khan Market, shops and corridors are suddenly cordoned off by gun-toting security staff. Their menacing presence alerts most shoppers to the VIP within (often someone totally unremarkable and ignorable) and they wait, cursing the upstart under their breath, until the ‘VIP’ moves on. As for those occasions when the Family and Others go out, roads are cleared for long spells leading to traffic snarls that may take hours to clear up. 

Nowhere else in the world does one see this ludicrous display of self-importance. Ministers and even the PM in Britain regularly use public transport and the Tube. This is why their public transport system is so good. If our ministers were to travel by the Metro or by a DTC bus, be sure that the service would improve overnight. In Delhi, the most opulent cars belong to the diplomats of the smallest and poorest countries. The sons and daughters of the most insignificant netas and bureaucrats are the ones that demand the most privileges (front-row seats and free passes for example). I feel that the worst aspect of underdevelopment is the need to show off and make a noise about one’s status. I can clearly remember a time when even the Prime Minister would be driven home from office with no screeching sirens and gunmen around. If you are old enough to remember a film called ‘Jagriti’, it tracks a little boy’s journey to meet Nehru. In the last scene, he walks into the Prime Minister’s residence to fulfil his pledge. 

Of course, terrorist threats have made this impossible but we also need to be remember that all the security given to assassinated politicians was not able to save them. However, it is good to see that there are some leaders who have realized that distancing themselves from the people has a huge electoral cost. Nitish Kumar, Mamata Banerji and Lalu Yadav have followers because they are accessible. 

Let’s see how the new generation of politicians behave when they eventually assume office. Will they have learnt from the mistakes of their ancestors or become more and more arrogant and insensitive?