Sonia origin an issue 8212; Tourists

Foreign tourists in Shimla had an unexpected encounter with another side of India the other day. While strolling on the Ridge, they chanc...

Foreign tourists in Shimla had an unexpected encounter with another side of India the other day. While strolling on the Ridge, they chanced upon a meeting being addressed by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, the 8220;foreigner8221; du jour. While her plea that 8220;I will continue to tread the same path despite personal attacks8221; impressed them, they were not surprised that her origin has become an issue. The same, they said, would have happened back home, in their own countries.

Moniek, an engineer from Holland who is working in Chennai, has been following the Indian elections and admitted that if an Austrian were to contest in her country, she would definitely think twice before voting for him/her. While, she added, 8220;political abilities matter more than other issues, like nationality8221;, Sonia seemed to be 8220;carrying her family name more than anything else8221;.

Laura Kinch, a health worker from England, stressed on ability more than nationality. 8220;It is more important that a politician be able to form good policies,8221;she said, though she did not dismiss foreign origin altogether. Kinch also felt that however much one may try to adopt another culture, one could never forsake one8217;s own.

Ben Ross, a programmer from London, said he understood the political dilemma Indians faced. 8220;It would certainly matter in my country,8221; he responded. At the same, he was impressed by Sonia8217;s handling of the criticism against her, the speech she gave in Hindi and her decision to stay on in India.

Claire Geopfort, who is French and knows Hindi, missed Sonia8217;s speech. Regretting that, she added that a person of foreign origin who knows the country well and is committed to justice and goodwill is better than a natural citizen who does not believe in these. However, she could understand the anxieties on the matter and pointed out: 8220;In France, religion could be important. Even a non-religious person or a Protestant could win, but being a Muslim would be a disadvantage.8221;

However, Sonia8217;s speech left the locals largely unimpressed. RajinderBedi, a Chandigarh-based trader who happened to be at the Ridge, felt her acquired knowledge of Hindi, Indian way of dressing and mannerisms count for little. Naresh Negi, a college student, pointed out that she still had an accent.