Washington: At a time when there is a
virtual scramble for first State Dinner of US President Barack
Obama on November 24 in honour of Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh, a US news outlet has come out with its own top 10 wish
list of the invitees.
Topping the list released by Politico – known for
coverage of the Capitol Hill and the White House – is top
industrialist Mukesh Ambani, who met the President early this
year. He is followed by writer-turn activist Arundhati Roy.
"As India has assumed a larger role on the global
stage, Roy has spoken out against globalisation, Indian
poverty and the country`s nuclear weapons programme — though
she has often stirred up controversy," Politico said and put
Thomas Friedman, author of `The World is Flat` next on the
list, followed by Bollywood stars Abhishek Bachchan and
Ashwarya Rai Bachchan.
"Rai and Bachchan (or Ash and Abhi, as they are known
to their fans) are the biggest stars of Bollywood. They have
billions — not millions — of fans; Bachchan has starred in
more than 40 movies, and Rai can earn up to USD 15 million per
film. If Obama needed to boost his popularity around the
world, here is his ticket to the heart of India," it said.
West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi too makes it
to the wish list on the basis of him being the grandsons of
Mahatma Gandhi; given the personal admiration of the Father of
the Nation by Obama.
"But politics and admiration for Mohandas aren`t the
only things that Gopalkrishna and Obama have in common — both
have written books, and both have two daughters," it said.
Bobby Jindal, the first Indian-American to be elected
as Governor of a US State, Raj Goyle – the fast emerging young
Democratic leaders are the two Indian American politicians in
the wish list; which also includes Raghubir Goyal, White House
Correspondent, India Globe.
Politico`s wish list also includes Jeffrey Immelt,
General Electric.
"As CEO of General Electric, Immelt knows a thing or
two about India. His company is one of the biggest US
investors in India. And since GE owns NBC Universal, Immelt
knows a thing or two about celebrity and the news business.
With NBC and GE stock both struggling, an invite for Immelt
might be a much-needed vote of confidence," it said.
Bureau Report
