The United States of Trump

building temples to political leaders we revere,and I remember fearing then that there were probably the foundations of a Trump temple being laid already in some Indian city or town.

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This love for Trump was partly because Narendra Modi said he was his friend but mainly because Trump seemed to be doing to Muslims what our Hindutva brethren would like India to do.Throwthemall out.Itcameasanasty surprise when our treacherous ‘friend’ took Pakistan’s side during our Operation Sindoor.We grumbled that this was only because his ‘favourite Field Marshal’ recommended him for the Nobel Peace Prize.Butnow Pakistan is playing therole of mediator between the United States and Iran. India sulks in the wings.

The United States has been my favourite foreign country from the days of my childhood. Iremembervividly that one of my most cherished toys then was atiny bottle of Coca Cola. These toy Cokes were given to us children by uncles who were privileged enough in those socialist times to afford foreign travel. Aunts would bring back tiny bottles of French perfume and uncles would bring us those little bottles of Coca Cola.