The meaning of Obama

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Jan 27 2015 | 10:40 PM IST
What does 'Obama' mean... One who is blessed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said this while co-hosting his monthly radio show 'Mann ki baat' with US President Barack Obama.
"Some people wonder what 'Obama' means. In Swahili language, spoken in parts of Africa, Barack means one who is blessed. I believe, along with a name, his family gave him a big gift," he said.
When a questioner asked both Obama and Modi whether they had imagined to reach the positions they have reached, the US President said like Prime Minister Modi, when he had visited the White House for the first time, he too had also stood near the iron fence.
"The same is true for me. When I first went to the White House, I stood outside that same fence and looked in and I certainly did not imagine that I would ever be visiting there, much less living there. You know, I think both of us have been blessed with an extraordinary opportunity, coming from relatively humble beginnings.
"And when I think about what's best in America and what's best in India, the notion that a tea seller or somebody who's born to a single mother like me, could end up leading our countries, is an extraordinary example of the opportunities that exist within our countries," Obama said.
Talking in their context, he said making sure that children are healthy and they get equal opportunities irrespective of their background is very important.
"Because you never know who might be the next Prime Minister of India or who might be the next President of United States...They might just surprise you if you give them the chance," he said.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jan 27 2015 | 10:40 PM IST

Next Story