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'The queen of America had come' and Laura Bush debuts on Indian telly: PICTURES
Rediff ^ | March 02, 2006 | Rediff

Posted on 03/02/2006 7:44:20 AM PST by CarrotAndStick

The Rediff Special/ Archana Masih in New Delhi

'The queen of America had come'

March 02, 2006

Laura Bush was early. 

 

It was just by five minutes, but when powerful dignitaries arrive before time, it does leave a mark.  

 

So when the American First Lady arrived in her gleaming limousine at Prayas, the home for abused children in Tughlaqabad in Delhi, she had made the perfect entry. 

 

After that, the hour-long visit went like a dream. 

 

Prayas had seen other important guests before -- like the princess of Bhutan, former American deputy secretary of state Richard Armitage, Bollywood actors Manisha Koirala and Jackie Shroff -- but never had someone of the stature of Laura Bush come calling.

 

Obviously, Seema, Arti and Shilpa, who had to welcome her with bouquets, were nervous. They had stood in position for over an hour to make sure everything went as rehearsed.

 

Arti, 18, a mute girl, explained in sign language that they had prepared for seven days for the big day and would have liked to see Mrs Bush stay longer with them.

 

Seema, the oldest of the three, an alumnus of Prayas, had travelled from a shelter home in Kolkata for the event.

 

"She was so cute, spoke so gently and was so well dressed. In India when in the name of fashion girls wear such short clothes, I think she kept in mind the Indian sensitivity and had worn clothes that covered both her arms and legs," Seema said.

 

Shilpa, aqll of eight years old, the youngest and most shy, pulled the gift from her lap that the First Lady gave her – a visiting card which said 'Laura Bush' and a light blue diary on which was embossed 'The Seal of the President of the United States.'

 

Another group of children had practiced for a dance performance for Laura Bush. Decked in traditional finery in tune with a Rajasthani theme, the kids performed a folk dance soon after the bouquets were given to Mrs Bush.

 

"She loved our dance, said thank you to us and we said welcome," said a little girl through her rather large nath (traditional nose ring extending from the nose to the ears). "You know who she was?" another sprightly girl questioned precociously. "America ki rani aayi thi (the queen of America had come)!"

 

Laura Bush was accompanied by Jeannie Mulford, wife of American Ambassador to India David Mulford. Security, naturally, had been strict. US security personnel had been going in out of the shelter for weeks and the staff and children had been asked to be present by 7.30 am, almost four hours in advance.

 

The names of all children along with details like father's name, home address, date of birth, colour of skin had been sent to the US embassy and identity cards had been issued to all children by Prayas. The staff were given security clearance by the Delhi police and had to wear IDs bearing their names, blood group, date of joining and addresses.

 

After the traditional welcome, Laura Bush saw the various vocational training courses run by the shelter and then went on to the most important part of her morning programme – a roundtable with Sartaj, 12, Karishma, 12, Komal, 14 and Tabassum, 16.

 

'"Good Morning, I'm Laura Bush,' this is how she introduced herself," said Tabassum. "She said she liked talking with children and had been a librarian."

 

The girls asked her few questions and her answers were translated to them in Hindi. "We asked her if there was discrimination between boys and girls in America like it was in India. She said there was but there were fewer cases."

 

"We asked her whether poor children found it difficult to go to school like it was in India and she said that sometimes teachers went to childrens' home to teach or kids went to special centres to study," Tabassum said.

 

After some coaxing, a quiet Kashmira said: "We asked if children in America became independent at the age of 15. She told us that it did happen but if the kids were not independent by then, their parents looked after them till they became 18."

 

One child who had suffered abuse wanted to know if children suffered rape and abuse in America.

 

The First Lady admitted there were problems of trafficking, child neglect and abuse. Most of such exploited children received foster care support.   

 

"We liked her very much. She looked so pretty, her makeup was perfect and she wore such nice clothes," said Komal.

 

The First Lady gave the children diaries, White House mementoes, soft toys and sweets. While Prayas gave Mrs Bush a candlestand and a Madubani painting.

 

After spending an hour and eight minutes at Prayas, Laura Bush signed the visitors book and wrote: 'With thanks for your devotion to children and with much love. Laura Bush'

 

When the girls had woken up at 6 am they had been nervous but by noon they were a confident and delighted bunch. They wanted to share their experience with everyone who asked them about it and wanted their pictures shot. They danced to dhols long after Laura Bush had left and got an American to join them too.

 

Her husband may be the most powerful man on earth. He may have signed a landmark nuclear deal with India. But here at Prayas the star was a former librarian named Laura Bush.

Photographs: courtesy Prayas

Also see
Laura makes her Indian television debut
Laura's day out in Delhi
Laura Bush's distinction
India and US First Ladies
Complete Coverage


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bush; bushvisit; india; islam; laura; laurabush; us
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To: All
From teh article:
"While Prayas gave Mrs Bush a candlestand and a Madubani painting."

This is what a Madhubani painting looks like:

41 posted on 03/02/2006 9:19:02 AM PST by indcons (The MSM - Mainstream Slime Merchants)
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To: adam_az
Just imagine if the tide had turned and it was Theresa Heinz there.... Hahahaha. Yeah right. She'd be at the mountain home in Ketchum eating gin soaked raisins by the fire."
LMAO....very true.
See these photos and rejoice!! LOL



42 posted on 03/02/2006 9:24:09 AM PST by indcons (The MSM - Mainstream Slime Merchants)
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To: Cronos; Gengis Khan; Hill of Tara

Ping!


43 posted on 03/02/2006 9:40:39 AM PST by CarrotAndStick (The articles posted by me needn't necessarily reflect my opinion.)
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To: Peach; DrDeb; snugs; GretchenM; kayak; kitkat; Miss Marple; MJY1288; ohioWfan; Chgogal

Thank you (*ohioWfan*) this is outstanding and well. She is a lady. Be strong America!!!! Thank you all.


44 posted on 03/02/2006 9:56:05 AM PST by anonymoussierra (Jezu, ufam Tobie!!! Amen)
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To: ohioWfan
God gave our nation a special gift in Laura Bush. She has been a gracious and honorable role model for the girls young and old in our nation, and throughout the world. Thank you, Lord.
45 posted on 03/02/2006 10:40:59 AM PST by Faith
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To: CarrotAndStick
What a beautiful article - what a beautiful and gracious First Lady.

She has been a good influence on me: sometimes when I start feeling "snarky", I think about her and how she would conduct herself in my situation of the moment, and I feel myself immediately calming down. My catchword is, "WWLD?": "What Would Laura Do?"

46 posted on 03/02/2006 10:43:37 AM PST by Inspectorette
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To: ohioWfan

Thanks so much for getting this to me. It had me misty eyed, thinking of this wonderful woman making those children feel so good, so special. What an ambassador for America she is!!!


47 posted on 03/02/2006 10:55:45 AM PST by the rightgirl
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To: CarrotAndStick

Thank you for this wonderful post! Laura Bush is an intelligent, beautiful and gracious woman. We are blessed to have her as our First Lady. Queen of America? ABSOLUTELY!


48 posted on 03/02/2006 11:12:21 AM PST by Chena (I'm not young enough to know everything.)
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To: ohioWfan

Just lovely .. on the inside and on the outside .. and always putting others' needs or situations before her own. W and Laura are both like that ... especially in the presence of people who struggle. God bless and protect them both.


49 posted on 03/02/2006 11:43:01 AM PST by STARWISE (They (Rats) think of this WOT as Bush's war, not America's war-RichardMiniter, respected OBL author:)
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To: CarrotAndStick
'The queen of America had come'

Ouch! Hillary's not going to like that headline. ;)

50 posted on 03/02/2006 11:47:40 AM PST by Mr. Jeeves ("When the government is invasive, the people are wanting." -- Tao Te Ching)
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To: CarrotAndStick; ohioWfan; potlatch

I'll put "The Queen of America had come" right up there with "Defender of the Bones" for phrases about our First Couple that bring tears to my eyes.


51 posted on 03/02/2006 12:07:24 PM PST by ntnychik
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To: ohioWfan

What a nice article. Thank you for the ping.


52 posted on 03/02/2006 12:12:59 PM PST by GretchenM (What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? Please meet my friend, Jesus.)
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To: ohioWfan

Thank you for the ping. I've mostly been a part of the silent lurking majority lately. ;)

Bump!


53 posted on 03/02/2006 1:02:49 PM PST by Fawnn (Canteen wOOhOO Consultant and CookingWithPam.com person - Faith makes things possible, not easy.)
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To: prairiebreeze
genuine class always shines through.

Sorry to butcher your post, but that is "Quote of the day" material.

54 posted on 03/02/2006 1:12:42 PM PST by Looking4Truth (FOR SALE: 1 slightly used U.S. Citizenship and SSN. Make Offer. Will trade for Matricula card.)
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To: ohioWfan

Ohio, thank you for the ping.

What a gracious, classy and beautiful First Lady we have been blessed with. Certainly the children at Prayas know love when they feel it.

Did you happen to notice, yesterday, the one picture of Mrs. Karzaki? What a beautiful woman. In fact, a great picture of two beautiful women.


55 posted on 03/02/2006 1:28:15 PM PST by jtill
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To: ohioWfan

Dubya told us when he was running for President the first time that we would love Laura as much as he does. He was right! AGAIN


56 posted on 03/02/2006 1:54:40 PM PST by kitkat
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To: All
Thank you so much Mrs. Bush. It's so wonderful to have a First Lady we all can be so proud of!!!

I got chills reading this story.

You REALLY answered those questions well, too!

Thank God for you Laura Bush!

NordP

57 posted on 03/02/2006 2:01:32 PM PST by NordP (I've seen enough "24" to know there are many things a President cannot talk about, yet must do.)
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To: indcons; CarrotAndStick

LOL...hilarious pictures.


58 posted on 03/02/2006 3:55:34 PM PST by Hill of Tara
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To: CarrotAndStick

"'The queen of America had come' "


That's a very beautiful, moving and touching story. Thanks for the ping carrotandstick.


59 posted on 03/02/2006 3:58:45 PM PST by Hill of Tara
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To: steel_resolve
Best. First Lady. Ever.

Can't. say. it. any. better. : )

60 posted on 03/02/2006 5:51:43 PM PST by radiohead (Hey Kerry, I'm still here; still hating your lying, stinking guts, you coward.)
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