Whose speech is it anyway?

Prime Minister’s Speech in Dubai on 17th August 2015

After almost 90 minutes of the Independence Day Speech…well, on 15th August … another 70 minutes speech in Dubai!!!

Can someone tell him that “short is sweet”? I’m afraid no one can! Not even Amit. I saw a lot of Dubaians leaving the stadium during the last 20 odd minutes in the scorching heat. During Twenty-20 one has to rush to the parking lot before the crowd leaves. But that happens when you are on the losing side, doesn’t it?

Well, let’s divide Dubai’s Indians in two categories: well-to-do materialists, and have-not materialists. I’m sure there is going to be a lot of criticism of this opinion from the intellectuals in the region…or is there?

Anyway, Modi while speaking to .05 million Indians in Dubai Cricket Ground, was talking to the remaining 2.65 million UAE Indians, and many more million Asians in the Emirate and in the Gulf.

The later part of his speech became a bit of drag … to most of us – including to the well-to-do Dubaians who were sweating in 36 degree in spite of their hand-fans.

Firstly, he spoke to the poor Indians toiling on the construction sites in 50 degree Celsius when he announced the newer schemes. These schemes do not matter much to you and me, but they do - to those poor who make up of over 60% of Indians in the UAE, by the way, who were not seen in the crowd.

Secondly, he spoke to the Keralite community. He said that - he mentioned them only because it’s their new year day. No, he didn’t! He did so because Keralites are THE largest community in the Middle-East. Not only Indian..but global community in the Middle-East. So, why not?

Thirdly, he spoke about terrorism in tough words. He obtained support from UAE for the UN Security Council seat. I don’t know why is it important …but looks like ..it is!

Fourthly, he mentioned that the Crown Prince and all four of his brothers (or five? …I don’t remember…perhaps, neither does the Crown Prince!) came to fetch him from the airport. While thanking them for the gesture, he also made sure that people understand that they were there due to India’s present Geo-political situation.

Fifthly, he organised a standing ovation for the Crown Prince who is …really….putting his neck out for providing space for a kafir-temple. Shukran!

Sixthly, he talked of Indian support to Nepal while conveying the message to China, and of course the friendly neighbourhood Pakistan. He said – Nepal - our neighbours are distressed during the earthquake, and we are not doing anything – it’s not going to happen.

Seventhly, he spoke melodramatically of Maladives – a moderate Muslim nation – suddenly having no drinking water. He said – we will not leave anyone (outside India!) without water! Giving water to anyone thirsty sounds a very kind act!

Eighthly, he talked of resolution of dispute on Bangladesh border. The people in the disputed territory getting independence on 1st August 2015, instead of 15th August 1947. Which is true. There were thousands of people living in no-man’s land for 70 years. Can you imagine it? Well, doesn’t matter anymore. There were millions of Bangladeshis watching today in the UAE and more so, in Bangladesh,  as to what he mentioned.

Ninthly, he spoke of an Indian Prime Minister visiting Sri Lanka after years – including his visit to Jaffna – which was a no-go area for a sensible non-Tamil until a few years ago. Even in Columbo you got hit with the back of a rifle if you were an Indian Prime Minister!

Tenthly, he spoke of friendly Kabuliwalas ….brought us the memories of Balraj Sahanis, and Prans from Zanjeer! Well, perhaps there were thousands of poor Afghanis standing outside the Stadium and watching the speech on big screen. Wouldn’t it make an impact on them?

And lastly, he said ….Samazney-waale samaz jaayenge ….Akalmand ko ishaaraa kaafee hain! Was it for Pakistan? I’m not sure. “Akalmand”, “Samazney-wale”?

Perhaps I sounded a bit cynical about the Middle-East Indians in the beginning of the Post. I wish to stand corrected. I landed in Dubai for my first job abroad on 3rd August of 1990 – 25 years ago – on the day Saddam invaded Kuwait. I have not seen a better melting pot in the region than Dubai – Indians, Pakistanis –Sri Lankans- Bangla – Afghanis – Filipinos- Jordanians-Palestine-British-American-Australians. On the day Rajeev Gandhi was murdered by Sri Lankan Tamil terrorists, we left the office of our American company early. As a bachelor, I remember going to an Indian Club in Dubai for spending the evening, with and through the influence of my Sri Lankan colleagues.

In spite of being the supporter of the current Government -I must admit, I must admit (Hope Amit Shah is not tracking! ;-) ) that I am a secular, progressive pragmatist.

Hush…!!! It’s no more easy to be – as well as appear – politically correct these days!

Having lived in Dubai for almost two years, and being connected for two decades, I am sure the Pakistanis are listening to the speech, Sri Lankans are listening, Bangladeshis are listening, Kabuliwalas are listening….even the Nepalese, Bhutanese and Burmese are listening. All of them are drawing their own conclusions. The speech was perhaps less spectacular than the Madison Square Garden Speech, or the Canadian speech, or even the Sydney speech; but this speech was addressed to 1.7 billion people – almost one-fourth of the global population. Emotional people! Unlike in the USA, Canada and Australia there was a huge gap between those in the Stadium and those outside. Luckily, thanks to the new technologies, the outsiders were equally privileged to listen as the insiders!

This speech is going to make a difference in the region…hopefully, sooner than later!