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US election 2016: Indians' verdict on Donald Trump's Hindi | US election 2016: Indians' verdict on Donald Trump's Hindi |
(about 3 hours later) | |
US presidential candidate Donald Trump has spoken a few words of Hindi in a video aimed at wooing Indian-American voters. | |
He is appropriating Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popular campaign slogan "Abki bar Modi sarkar" ("This time Modi government"). | He is appropriating Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popular campaign slogan "Abki bar Modi sarkar" ("This time Modi government"). |
The video was made to air on Indian TV channels in the US, Buzzfeed quoted Shalabh Kumar, a member of Trump's Indian-American Advisory Committee, as saying. Mr Kumar supports Mr Trump and says he made the video with him to appeal to Hindi speakers. | |
However, if the reaction of Indians in Delhi is anything to go by, Mr Trump still has some work to do. | |
As the BBC's Vikas Pandey found out in a quick survey on the streets of the Indian capital, no one was very impressed by the video. | |
'India is not just Hindus, Mr Trump' | 'India is not just Hindus, Mr Trump' |
Shailesh Yadav said he felt disgusted after watching the video because "Mr Trump seemed to be addressing only Hindus through the video". | Shailesh Yadav said he felt disgusted after watching the video because "Mr Trump seemed to be addressing only Hindus through the video". |
"How could he just assume that Hindus means India? We are a plural country, Mr Trump. Muslims, Sikhs and Christians also live in this country." he said. | "How could he just assume that Hindus means India? We are a plural country, Mr Trump. Muslims, Sikhs and Christians also live in this country." he said. |
Mr Yadav added that he was hoping that "Americans will be smart enough to not vote this guy into power". | Mr Yadav added that he was hoping that "Americans will be smart enough to not vote this guy into power". |
'Not a friend of India' | 'Not a friend of India' |
Law student Aparimita Pratap's reaction after watching the video was that Mr Trump "has already lost the election and no video is going to save him". | Law student Aparimita Pratap's reaction after watching the video was that Mr Trump "has already lost the election and no video is going to save him". |
"He can't win in a million years. If he thinks that just speaking a few words in Hindi will get him the votes of Indian-Americans or win him fans here [in India], he is so horribly wrong," she said. | "He can't win in a million years. If he thinks that just speaking a few words in Hindi will get him the votes of Indian-Americans or win him fans here [in India], he is so horribly wrong," she said. |
"He just has the support of some Indian-American business families and he thinks whole of India loves him. But then I can't blame him: he is the living embodiment of ignorance." | "He just has the support of some Indian-American business families and he thinks whole of India loves him. But then I can't blame him: he is the living embodiment of ignorance." |
Her friend Raymon Singh agrees and just laughs after I show her the video. | Her friend Raymon Singh agrees and just laughs after I show her the video. |
"This is so funny. He seems to have rehearsed the slogan many times, but he still didn't sound convincing," she said. | "This is so funny. He seems to have rehearsed the slogan many times, but he still didn't sound convincing," she said. |
"Are you sure this is not some spoof video?" she asked. | "Are you sure this is not some spoof video?" she asked. |
"If this is a real video, then it just proves that he is a man of contradictions. He first berates immigrants and then tries to woo Indian-Americans," she said. | "If this is a real video, then it just proves that he is a man of contradictions. He first berates immigrants and then tries to woo Indian-Americans," she said. |
"He is not a friend of India - he is nobody's friend. Just look at his regressive views about women. I feel disgusted as a woman listening to his comments." | "He is not a friend of India - he is nobody's friend. Just look at his regressive views about women. I feel disgusted as a woman listening to his comments." |
'He can't be trusted' | 'He can't be trusted' |
Student Kriti Kakkar was so amused she watched the video a few times over. | Student Kriti Kakkar was so amused she watched the video a few times over. |
"I thought the US was a developed country, but after seeing this man come this far, I am having serious doubts," she said. | "I thought the US was a developed country, but after seeing this man come this far, I am having serious doubts," she said. |
"How could they not know him? I have followed him since he used to host The Apprentice on television. He was so rude even then." | "How could they not know him? I have followed him since he used to host The Apprentice on television. He was so rude even then." |
She added that India "cannot trust him". | She added that India "cannot trust him". |
"He is saying nice things about India because he wants votes. But he can't be trusted to honour his promises," she said. | "He is saying nice things about India because he wants votes. But he can't be trusted to honour his promises," she said. |
'Not the right person' | 'Not the right person' |
Hitesh Yadav, a management professional, said he wasn't surprised by the video. | Hitesh Yadav, a management professional, said he wasn't surprised by the video. |
"He will say and do anything to win votes at the moment. I honestly thought he was going to win two months ago, but now his comments about women and minorities have shown his true face to the world," he said. | "He will say and do anything to win votes at the moment. I honestly thought he was going to win two months ago, but now his comments about women and minorities have shown his true face to the world," he said. |
"If he wins, the world will become more unsafe, including India. He will try to shut down call centres in India," he said. | "If he wins, the world will become more unsafe, including India. He will try to shut down call centres in India," he said. |
"He is not the right person for the job." | "He is not the right person for the job." |
'Not a good sign for the US' | 'Not a good sign for the US' |
Designer Anand Bhushan said Mr Trump "appears to be trying to cash in on the victory of the Hindu nationalist BJP party in 2014 in India". | Designer Anand Bhushan said Mr Trump "appears to be trying to cash in on the victory of the Hindu nationalist BJP party in 2014 in India". |
"And he may end up getting some votes of the Hindu Indian-American community. But that's not a good sign for the US," he said. | "And he may end up getting some votes of the Hindu Indian-American community. But that's not a good sign for the US," he said. |
"Just look what's happening in India. We have seen so many cases of intolerance against minorities in India since 2014. Mr Trump is heading in the same direction," he said. | "Just look what's happening in India. We have seen so many cases of intolerance against minorities in India since 2014. Mr Trump is heading in the same direction," he said. |
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