INDIA: US PRESIDENT CLINTON VISIT: NAYALA VILLAGE WRAP

Описание: (23 Mar 2000) English/Nat
XFA
Continuing his tour of India on Thursday, President Clinton visited the village of Nayala where women running a milk co-operative gave him a warm welcome.

The president showed his form when he took to the dancefloor and joined the women in a demonstration of traditional Indian dancing.

Later Clinton and daughter Chelsea visited the ancient Amber Fort at Jaipur.

Clinton was greeted by elephants on his arrival, and made a jocular reference
to the opposition Republican Party, whose symbol is an elephant.

President Clinton was given an insight into women's rights Indian-style when he visited an all female milk co-operative in the dusty village of Nayala.

Most of the village had turned out to meet the President and he was mobbed by well-wishers.

In a traditional welcome, the president was showered with rose petals at the co-operative as a mark of respect.

He heard heartfelt stories of the women's struggle for child care, higher wages and better education in a rural society where they traditionally are considered subservient to men.

They said that few men showed support for their work when the project was started 15 years ago, but some were now coming around to their way of thinking.

Speaking to members of the co-operative at length, Clinton said they were a good example for other people in the world.

SOUNDBITE (English)
"There are many people here who are poor, but you are proving that democracy can be used to lift the poor. Can be used to end discrimination against women and keep children, girls and boys, in school. And can be used to bring people of different tribes and castes together."
SUPERCAPTION: U-S President, Bill Clinton

And he drew on his own country's history to make some parallels with the women's situation.

SOUNDBITE (English)
"My own country became independent from the British Empire in the 1780's and it was almost 150 years before women could even vote."
SUPERCAPTION: U-S President, Bill Clinton

SOUNDBITE (English)
"It was almost a hundred years before the slaves were freed and more than a hundred years before they acquired equal rights, African Americans, under our laws."
SUPERCAPTION: U-S President, Bill Clinton

And then there was a display of traditional dancing with the women providing their own rhythms by singing "Awaken, women of my land, it's time we empower ourselves".

Not one to stand at the sidelines, the president joined them for a spin across the courtyard which was doubling as a dancefloor.

Then it was time to sample some of India's history with a visit to the Amber Fort at the town of Jaipur, accompanied by daughter Chelsea.

Jaipur is famous for its pastel-coloured forts which are hundreds of years old.

A special welcome awaited him - a herd of brightly painted elephants.

The president was quick to seize on the animal's significance to his countrymen and cracked a joke with American reporters.

SOUNDBITE (English)
"I have a statement to make for the American press - it is nice to be around some friendly elephants." (NOTE - This is a reference to the Republican party symbol, which is an elephant)
SUPERCAPTION: U-S President, Bill Clinton

Once again there was traditional dancing, this time on a grand scale.

The fort dates back to the 16th century and, as with many such buildings in India, there are artisans who use the site as a base.

Traditionally forts were homes for ruling clan chiefs who would give their patronage to local craftsmen.

Later on Thursday Clinton is due to view Bengal tigers at the Ranthambhore National Forest Reserve.




Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...