Hillary bats for Gen Next

Addressing the hall packed with youths,Clinton said all countries should seek to involve their youth in nation building more actively and referred to the youth movement in Iran to emphasise the point. “Look at what happened in the aftermath of the elections in Iran,where the youth used technology to communicate with the outside world. We not only need professional diplomats but also citizen diplomats.”

She said students are helping India move ahead in their own unique way and stressed that student exchanges should be encouraged between countries to tackle stereotypes and differences between them. She said differences between the United States and India were primarily down to stereotypes associated with the two countries. “We have our differences but what unites us is democracy and pluralism,” she said.

The Secretary of State covered various subjects,among them the marginalised status of women. When former Delhi University Students Union president Ragini Naik asked Clinton whether her gender came in the way of her becoming the US President,the Secretary of State said countries cannot realise their full potential if they do not give rights to one half of their population. “I am grateful for the experience so far. When I was a student,I never thought I will be a Secretary of State.

“I don’t want to look back but I want to look forward to the eradication of all discrimination against women.”

Clinton also spoke of strengthening ties between India and Pakistan. She said the subcontinental neighbours should take the step of talking to each other to sort out issues. She also said that Pakistan has been more “committed” towards fighting terrorism over the last six months,as the country itself has been under attack several times.

While those inside ghung on to every word Clinton spoke,many students were not let in as they arrived late. “I wore a saree just to meet her but I wasn’t allowed in,” a student said.