Saturday, 9 March 2013

BUSH GETS A PECK ON THE CHEEK










This story written by me dates back to 2006 when US President George Bush visited Hyderabad. I found the story on the websites all over the world.

Friday, March 03, 2006 

By C R Gowri Shanker 

Hyderabad, March 3: US President George W. Bush left Hyderabad with an unforgettable gift: A surprise peck on the cheek by a woman self-help group member from Chittoor. Something that his predecessor Bill Clinton was not privileged to get.

Mr Bush was going around the pavilion for women self-help groups at the Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University (Angrau) here, escorted by Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy. 

When he arrived at a stall displaying forest produce, K. Nagarajamma of Chittoor in southern AP, a 29-year-old mother of two, told Mr Bush, "America adhyakshudini kalvatam oka kala sir." Dr Reddy translated for Mr Bush:"Meeting the US president is like a dream." 

Mr Bush smiled, nodded and was about to move to the next stall when Ms Nagarajamma pointed to Mr Bush's cheek. Mr Bush apparently thought there was something sticking, but understood almost immediately. He bent down, and the petite woman reached up and kissed him on the cheek. Mr Bush responded with a big "Thank you," as everyone watched in disbelief.

Asked later what made her kiss Mr Bush, Ms Nagarajamma said with a smile: "It's a gift from my side!"

After Mr Bush left, the women crowded around the new star, who just blushed. Other women gave gifts too: A hat and garland made of palm leaves, a replica of a wooden plough. But clearly the winner was the impromptu kiss. 

Mr Bush signed over a dozen autographs to women SHGs members. As he moved among the stalls, Mr Bush was at his informal best. He discarded his suit and pulled up his blue shirtsleeves, moved around freely, exchanged pleasantries, waved to the invitees and posed for keepsake pictures with women SHG members and farmers. He picked up a four-year-old girl, Venkataramana, daughter of Chenchamma of Kotakadapally village, who sells forest produce like gum. 

Mr Bush made bold to pat a sturdy jet-black Murrah buffalo. The buffalo, quite unaware of the significance of the moment, urinated when Mr Bush and the Chief Minister came near her.

At a horticulture stall manned by Ankureddy Thathireddy of Ananthapur and G.Venkatrama Raju of Railway Kodur, Kadapa district, two huge pumpkins impressed Mr Bush. He bent down and lifted one, grunted "oops" and pretended to stagger, much to the amusement of those present. Banganapalli mangoes produced by Angrau impressed him.






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