Roaming Roemer

I have had great “karma” (and more likely fantastic safari guides!) in seeing tigers throughout India including in my visits to the Sunderbans National Park in West Bengal and Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan. On my last safari ride during a visit to Kaziranga National Park, fortune smiled on me again as I was able to see this majestic animal in the wild. But what really stood out during my visit was the pride I felt when I saw anti-poaching camps that were funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Since 2004, USFWS has “invested” almost $1 million in these camps, to train volunteers to protect the forests and provide anti-poaching training. Along with the Indian government’s partnership, these camps and capacity building measures have been one of the keys to the increase in the one-horned rhino population in Kaziranga. The rhino population has increased from about 12 in 1905 to over 2000 today. I saw scores of rhinos during my safari ride, proof positive that the close collaboration between the Indian government, local NGOs, and U.S. Government support is working for the people of India.
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As I have seen elsewhere during my travels throughout India, there is a vibrancy, energy, and thirst for growth and development in Assam, where I visited for the first time. I had the honor of meeting with Governor J. B. Patnaik, and we discussed three areas for potential cooperation between the United States and people of India: 1) education outreach, such as possible agriculture university exchange programs; 2) ways and methods to improve agriculture production and water usage in Assam, where approximately 70 percent of the population is engaged in agriculture and related activities; and 3) creating a second green revolution with a focus on clean energy. I also toured the Numaligarh Refinery, where American-manufactured equipment has increased the capacity of the refinery by close to 50 percent; another example of the win-win benefits of the U.S.-India economic partnership that President Obama discussed on his visit.

Visiting the region and meeting as many people as possible has always been one of the best parts of being the U.S. Ambassador to India.  I had a fantastic visit to Bhutan this week, seeing this beautiful country for the first time.  It reminded me of the Colorado Rockies with its snow capped mountains and deep and lush forests.  The beauty of Bhutan is only surpassed by the friendliness, graciousness, and hospitality of its people.  We currently have a warm friendship with Bhutan and we would like to expand and deepen that friendship with this emerging democracy in areas such as education and parliamentary exchanges.  In meetings with Chief Justice Tobgye, Prime Minister Thinley, members of Parliament, and the fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, we discussed ways to further strengthen the ties between our two countries.  As two democracies concerned with the environment, education and good governance, we have much in common and much to learn from each other.  And we share a love for basketball too, making me feel even more at home in this magical place.

I had a successful two day visit to Jammu and Srinagar, where I met with the talented Chief Minister Abdullah, had a tour of Dal Lake and viewed the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority’s efforts to clean it, and toured the incredible historical and cultural sites of Hazratbal Mosque, Shankaracharya Temple, and the beautiful Chashm-e-Shahi gardens and Pari Mahal. The highlight of the trip was the visit to a premier K-12 school in Srinagar. Upon my arrival, I received a tour of the beautiful campus (with the backdrop of mountains in their school playground) and an entertaining greeting by the younger kids doing a dance and song routine from one of my favorite movies “3 Idiots.” Afterwards, I practiced my cricket and basketball skill with the students and had the opportunity to speak to students about the importance of education and community service. In my second visit to Jammu and Kashmir, I saw the beauty of the state, felt the warmth of the people, and was surrounded by the feeling of “Kashmiriyat.”

One of the more enjoyable “jobs” I have as Ambassador to India is traveling throughout this beautiful country to meet with as many people as possible. When nominating me for this position, President Obama told me he wanted me to get out of Delhi and meet the aam aadmi, the villagers, the entrepreneurs, the religious leaders, and the students in India. Following the President’s instructions, I am traveling to Jammu and Srinagar, where I will meet with the current leadership in Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, with students and teachers, and with the future leaders of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). I am excited to see some of the cultural and religious sites, learn more about the environmental efforts to clean the lake, and maybe even buy a pashmina shawl for my wife. This is my second visit to J&K, having visited Leh in September to deliver relief supplies to families that were devastated by the unfortunate cloudburst, and I am looking forward to seeing the wonderful people again.

On my way to speak at the Embassy’s water workshop titled, “Water Issues in India: Challenges and Opportunities,” I marveled at how water has played a part in virtually every visit since arriving in India. I have seen beauty in the jade colored water when my family went rafting on the holy Ganga River near Rishikesh. I have seen devastation in Ladakh from an unexpected cloudburst. I have seen innovation from Jodhpur villagers reviving ancient water harvesting methods to conserve and provide water. I have witnessed success in Orissa with USAID projects assisting villagers gain better access to clean water and sanitation. I intently listened to President Obama and Prime Minister Singh discuss water issues during the President’s first state dinner. The importance of water to India’s continued economic development and to regional stability makes it a perfect challenge for the U.S. – India global partnership, and one we will meet through innovation, technology, and cooperation. Tell me ways water affects you, your family, and your community.

During my two-day visit to Dharamsala, I had the honor of meeting with students and administrators at the Tibetan Transit School and the Tibetan Children’s Village.  It was incredible to see all the good work that was being done at both these places.  The students told me the stories of their life in Tibet, their families, and the difficulties they encountered in the dangerous and difficult journey to India.  The younger children sang songs and with great pride showed me and my wife their beds, stuffed animals, and playroom. 

Despite all that they had been through already and against great odds, the students had high hopes and great expectations for the future.  The students study computer classes,  work on language skills, and proudly display their Tibetan culture.  They are destined to fulfill the Tibetan Children’s Village motto “come to learn, go to serve.”

I have been dreaming of vertical loops and barrel rolls ever since I was a kid in grade school.  Thanks to Boeing and Lockheed Martin, Assistant Secretary Shapiro and I had the ride of a lifetime at Aero India when we flew in Boeing’s Super Hornet and Lockheed Martin’s Super Viper.  Flying upside down over Bangalore at 1000 kph was breathtaking.  The technology, ingenuity, and innovation that has gone into these fantastic aircraft is incredible.  I could “see” other planes on the radar that were 100 kilometers away; slow down to practically a walk; and skim the surface of the earth as if I was flying a model plane.  This is superior technology for our pilots and military.  It truly was one of my most memorable experiences.

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Today I visited the beautiful Sunderbans, approximately three hours in the car traveling southeast from Kolkata, and then another two hour boat journey.  I went with the intention of learning more about how India, Bangladesh, and the United States could work together on tiger conservation issues.  I also wanted to see how climate change and energy technology can help address some of the major challenges facing this region. 

And maintaining the audacity of hope, and overcoming all the odds, I held out the slight chance of spotting the Bengal tiger living in this extraordinary swamp environment.  We were exceedingly lucky, and glimpsing the orange colors shining in the sun in a tiny opening under the low covered canopy from our boat, we experienced that “piercing of the heart”…a tiger in the wild.  This is a highly unique and ecologically rich place in the world which has no equal.  Maybe this experience will be a precursor to partnership and progress on tiger conservation efforts in the future.

Air Force One touched down in Mumbai on November 6 and a historic and seminal visit began. It was an extremely busy first day and an emotional one, as the President and First Lady stayed at the Taj Mahal Hotel, which was attacked by ten terrorists on 26/11. I was with the President when he met with family members who survived the shooting and grenade throwing rampage, and he talked with one manager from the hotel who lost his wife and two children. He met an American who had lost her husband and her daughter in the attack at the Oberoi Hotel. In all, 170 lives were lost. President Obama was visibly moved by their stories and mentioned to me later in the car how inspired he was by their courage, as some of the survivors had saved lives in heroic action that day. Several people had started life anew and one had initiated a new organization to assist victims. President Obama stated later in his speech in front of the Gateway of India how both the U.S. and India had similar tragic experiences with terrorism that resulted in closer relations and cooperation.

Remarks by the President Commemorating 26/11 Attacks on Mumbai