The Pope was jealous of Narendra Modi aka NaMo. You could see it in his sad look as he traveled on the east coast and did not get to meet the valley elite. Both lead over a billion people, each of different faiths, both sport four letter call signs and yet the contrast in their visits was palpable.
Even Lord Ganesh who was the Silicon Valley Idol until last weekend probably had a feeling of being let down (in the SF bay and otherwise) as the fickle crowds switched their chants from Om Ganesha to NaMo.
The Indian Prime Minister flew in on his own havai jahaj aka an American made Boeing 747, painted with colors of Air India to its maiden flight into San Jose International Airport right in the middle of the techno campii (plural of campus maybe).
He spoke in Hindi (translated by some traveling babus to English and making for a very confusing message) to the cult of ex-pats that went to greet him and that surrounded him like no surround sound ever did, chanting his name and wanting to hear him speak after apparently being subjected to security tighter than a bee's ass.
He sold out to a 20,000 crowd of Indians in SAP center so named for a German software company that leases the rights to the stadium's name in San Jose, CA.
He got to sit and chat with otherwise golf shirt sporting CEOs that had to wear suits to suit the protocol. NaMo in his usual casual Indian khadi (rough cotton) garments was ironic.
He got to tour the big brand offices of Google, Facebook and meet with CEOs of all big name techs from Apple to IBM. And give Mark Zuck a bear hug that almost crushed him - that kevlar vest can be suffocating in close proximity. During that hug NaMo let Mark know that the kid only succeeded because he - NaMo's India - provided half the 'like' happy; 'looking hot' posting morons to make FB a billion user brand.
As a brown man he met another - this time California Governor - Jerry Brown who happens to be white. He asked for partnerships to bring India out of the past into the future. Jerry talked to him how CA's new slogan is Brown is the new Green. He was referring to the people's yards that due to drought are not being watered. NaMo knew a thing or two about droughts, no doubt.
Even Lord Ganesh who was the Silicon Valley Idol until last weekend probably had a feeling of being let down (in the SF bay and otherwise) as the fickle crowds switched their chants from Om Ganesha to NaMo.
The Indian Prime Minister flew in on his own havai jahaj aka an American made Boeing 747, painted with colors of Air India to its maiden flight into San Jose International Airport right in the middle of the techno campii (plural of campus maybe).
He spoke in Hindi (translated by some traveling babus to English and making for a very confusing message) to the cult of ex-pats that went to greet him and that surrounded him like no surround sound ever did, chanting his name and wanting to hear him speak after apparently being subjected to security tighter than a bee's ass.
He sold out to a 20,000 crowd of Indians in SAP center so named for a German software company that leases the rights to the stadium's name in San Jose, CA.
He got to sit and chat with otherwise golf shirt sporting CEOs that had to wear suits to suit the protocol. NaMo in his usual casual Indian khadi (rough cotton) garments was ironic.
He got to tour the big brand offices of Google, Facebook and meet with CEOs of all big name techs from Apple to IBM. And give Mark Zuck a bear hug that almost crushed him - that kevlar vest can be suffocating in close proximity. During that hug NaMo let Mark know that the kid only succeeded because he - NaMo's India - provided half the 'like' happy; 'looking hot' posting morons to make FB a billion user brand.
As a brown man he met another - this time California Governor - Jerry Brown who happens to be white. He asked for partnerships to bring India out of the past into the future. Jerry talked to him how CA's new slogan is Brown is the new Green. He was referring to the people's yards that due to drought are not being watered. NaMo knew a thing or two about droughts, no doubt.
Namo has made it a habit to Pop(e) in and out of countries and valleys. He could earn an NRI Coat of Arms-in khadi, of course.
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