Clinton, Hyderabadis gush over each other

Clad in a grey colour suit and light blue colour shirt, the VVIP emerged out of the aircraft at 10:58 a.m under the watchful eyes of 25 American secret service agents who threw a virtual security blanket at the airport.

He was received by Governor C Rangarajan, his wife Haripriya Rangarajan, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, his wife Bhuvaneswari, Union Minister of State for Railways Bangaru Lakshman and senior officials. American Ambassador in India Richard Celeste and the French Ambassador accompanied the President.

The Governor and the Chief Minister presented him shawls. Clinton and his daughter posed for a group photograph with Rangarajan and Chandrababu Naidu. Later, Clinton boarded his mine-proof six-tonne black colour Cadillac along with Chelsea and left for Mahavir Hospital exactly at 11:02 a.m.

The thoroughfare was spruced up and decorated with eye-catching banners and billboards that read – From Silicon Valley to Cyberabad, Welcome to the Happening state and Thank You Mr President.

People thronged the road leading to Mahavir Hospital at the busy AC Guards junction in large numbers, unmindful of the scorching heat, hours before the arrival of the distinguished guest.

And Clinton, did not let them down. An inimitable smile and waving did all the magic. Slogans like "We love-Clinton" and "India-US friends" rent the air.

The efforts of the police to keep people at bay did not seem to have any impact on the enthusiastic crowds who waited patiently for two hours for Clinton’s scheduled arrival. He came about 20 minutes late.

Clinton, accompanied by his daughter Chelsea and a large delegation, went into the hospital to administer the last doses of TB medicine to three TB patients.

But what attracted him was a nine month-old girl, Sandhya, who was brought by her mother Pushpalatha for the oral polio vaccine. Clinton took the baby into his arms and hugged her. Later, he gave her mother a gift, packed in a colour paper. The joy of Pushpalata knew no bounds.

As soon as he finished his speech, most people among the audience, which comprised doctors, officials and other distinguished guests, thronged to shake hands with the American President.

At Hi-tec city too, the scene was repeated. Many invitees, including captains of industry, businessmen, officials and top IT professionals, jostled to shake hands with the President. While returning to the airport, Clinton stopped enroute to meet a crowd which had gathered to see him. He stepped out of the limousine, shook hands with some of them and even obliged autograph seekers.

A boy carrying a placard – Hillary – at Mahavir Hospital attracted Clinton’s attention. Apparently, the placard was referring to Hillary Clinton’s poll campaign for the US Senate. Asked by Clinton from where he got the placard, the boy said that he brought it in the US.

A lady doctor from Mahavir Hospital presented a gift pack, containing a statute of Lord Mahavir to the President, who seemed to appreciate the piece. A Kendriya Vidyalaya teacher, Roshan Umar, who came all the way from the National Police Academy, felt happy that she could see the US President outside Mahavir Hospital. "He is so charming," she said, with unconcealed glee.

M Sandeep, an eighth standard student from Rock Memorial School, was so delighted to see the "most big man on the earth". "I am so happy that he looked at us and smiled. I, along with other students, shouted – We love Clinton," he said.

Chelsea, who wore a grey full-sleeved T-shirt, too, did not fail to charm the people. Many tried to shake hands with her. However, she appeared impatient when several people jostled to shake hands with her father.

After fulfilling his engagements here, Clinton left for Mumbai at 3:15 p.m. and was seen off by the Governor and the Chief Minister.