It is Easy Being President.

And why not. When Barack Hussein Obama stepped onto Indian grounds on his 3-day visit to India, the public was not anticipating any negotiations or deals or improvement strategies or discussions, only  ambassadorial sweet talks, yet even the President himself knew he had started making headlines the moment he came down the flights’ steps, shook hands at the airport, and as he gave a second look at the huge pile of dirt scattered near to where his chopper was whizzing to go.

When the rest of the sane country was out there celebrating the one festival that brings out the nation in light, the political community was busy in preparations for the Obama visit. On Sunday, November 7, 2010, selected students were got a chance to sit in the townhall of St. Xavier’s college where the President was to address the students’ questions.

Michelle Obama opened the court with a warm yet sophisticated, unpretentious and elevating oratory.  She gave anecdotes of her own meager yet strong upbringing, the values she obtained, the lessons she was taught, and the principles she adapted that she tries to adapt today. Of course nobody was expecting statistical figures to terrorism or political information yet she did not have a single number she employed, which in turn the audience could relate to, nod with and acknowledge as with accordance.

During Obama’s question-answer dialogue with the students, one asked:

“Why is Pakistan such an important ally to America, so far that America has never called it a terrorist country”?

He paused, read his key points on his president-cheat-sheet, and then started off with, and I quote, “Pakistan is an enormous nation, the people have enormous capabilities”, and that’s when the population of India watching their TV screens could shake their heads in expectance and look ahead to a long, suave, president-answer. “If Pakistan is unstable, it is bad for India, if it is stable and prosperous, it is good”. “Pakistan has extremist groups and its government knows that”.

Nobody expected a straight answer but no one expected such a turnaround explanation. The question, the history, the focus, the figures, the evidence were all diverted to an explanation about the welfare of India if Pakistan does well. U.S, had already put eyeshades and gone to sleep.

Why Obama is becoming increasing unpopular even when their country’s employment-recruitment figures are increasing at 1.3% is more the obvious.

He talked about the 9/11 attacks. He talked about the 26/11 attacks. He talked about Gandhi. He talked about the Taj. Hand over the throne to a college-going political science major student and she can do that.

The mayor of New York says, and I quote, “Obama is the most arrogant man I have ever met”. I think George Bush had more ‘good’ popularity than this new President. And we can only fear.

From India, Gujrat, Jasleen Kaur reporting live.