ID :
40946
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 11:12
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/40946
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This is the real India: Rahul to Miliband at Dalit village
Semra (Amethi), Jan 15 (PTI) "This is the real India", Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi told British Foreign Secretary David Miliband as they visited a nondescript Dalit village here in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh, expressing his regret that foreign dignitaries often avoid travelling to such places.
Miliband, who spent Wednesday night here in Bhetua block
of Amethi district, is currently on a visit to the
parliamentary constituency Gandhi.
After a day-long hectic schedule Wednesday, the two young
leaders had interaction with women of the self help groups
(SHG) here, nearly 30 km from Amethi. During the interaction
process that continued for more than an hour, Gandhi acted as
a translator to Miliband.
Gandhi asked the women as to why they introduce their
children to English medium. On this, 80-year-old lady replied,
"ajkal toffee pe bhi English likha hota hai to Hindi padha ke
kya hoga (These days wrappers of toffees are also written in
English, so what is the use of being taught in Hindi)".
The English translation of this by the Congress leader
led the visiting dignitary burst into laughter. Gandhi
introduced Miliband to the locals as they did not know who the
visiting guest was, and asked them to put some questions to
the foreign dignitary.
"Kya wo hamari bat samajh sakenge (Can he understand our
language)," the villagers replied.
The two leaders had some village food with the rural folk
before retiring on a 'charpai' in the house of Shiv Kumari and
Karma. The house was a typical village household complete with
cows and buffaloes.
The women also sang a folk song in praise of Rajiv Gandhi
Charitable Trust, which according to them have changed their
lives, and went on to say, "Rajiv Gandhi aail yojanava,
jamanava badal gayil ye Bahina (Sister! after coming of the
Rajiv Gandhi Yojana, the world has changed for us)".
The duo got a real taste of rural Indian life - a
thatched house, village fare and a rope cot to sleep on -
during their visit to the village. Miliband and Gandhi
returned to their guest house at 5 am IST.
Miliband had yesterday visited a number of villages and
seen a literacy programme, dairy development activities and
also interacted with the media at Indira Gandhi Eye Hospital
before leaving the guest house for the night stay.
Their programme was kept as a closely guarded secret by
local Congress men to avoid media rush which they felt might
come in the way of the two leaders freely mingling with
villagers. PTI RRD
Miliband, who spent Wednesday night here in Bhetua block
of Amethi district, is currently on a visit to the
parliamentary constituency Gandhi.
After a day-long hectic schedule Wednesday, the two young
leaders had interaction with women of the self help groups
(SHG) here, nearly 30 km from Amethi. During the interaction
process that continued for more than an hour, Gandhi acted as
a translator to Miliband.
Gandhi asked the women as to why they introduce their
children to English medium. On this, 80-year-old lady replied,
"ajkal toffee pe bhi English likha hota hai to Hindi padha ke
kya hoga (These days wrappers of toffees are also written in
English, so what is the use of being taught in Hindi)".
The English translation of this by the Congress leader
led the visiting dignitary burst into laughter. Gandhi
introduced Miliband to the locals as they did not know who the
visiting guest was, and asked them to put some questions to
the foreign dignitary.
"Kya wo hamari bat samajh sakenge (Can he understand our
language)," the villagers replied.
The two leaders had some village food with the rural folk
before retiring on a 'charpai' in the house of Shiv Kumari and
Karma. The house was a typical village household complete with
cows and buffaloes.
The women also sang a folk song in praise of Rajiv Gandhi
Charitable Trust, which according to them have changed their
lives, and went on to say, "Rajiv Gandhi aail yojanava,
jamanava badal gayil ye Bahina (Sister! after coming of the
Rajiv Gandhi Yojana, the world has changed for us)".
The duo got a real taste of rural Indian life - a
thatched house, village fare and a rope cot to sleep on -
during their visit to the village. Miliband and Gandhi
returned to their guest house at 5 am IST.
Miliband had yesterday visited a number of villages and
seen a literacy programme, dairy development activities and
also interacted with the media at Indira Gandhi Eye Hospital
before leaving the guest house for the night stay.
Their programme was kept as a closely guarded secret by
local Congress men to avoid media rush which they felt might
come in the way of the two leaders freely mingling with
villagers. PTI RRD
