An American idol trumps Indian Ones

As US President Donald Trump is probably more used to citizens of other nations floating balloons of puffy orange babies to greet him, he should be gratified indeed that a humble farmer in Telangana has seen him in a dream, erected a statue of him in his village, and performed abhishekam and arati in front of it. He even credited Trump for India’s victory over Pakistan in the cricket World Cup. Indians are quite used to temples being dedicated to film stars and mass leaders; a village in Haryana was even named Carterpuri after a visiting US President. But an American idol — statues are not generally treated to propitiating rituals — is certainly a first for India. Admittedly, the famous hair is a tad thicker and much whiter, and the unlined forehead sports a tilak, but even experts concede that the ill-fitting suit and pugnaciously upturned thumb are quintessentially Trumpian.

Back on the campaign trail for re-election in 2020, Trump needs all the good vibes that he can garner — even if it is from thousands of miles away. Touchingly, in the very same fortnight that has seen hoardings wishing Congress President Rahul Gandhi come up in major cities courtesy party fans, the farmer put up a poster outside his home wishing Potus on his 73rd birthday. Surely, the farmer deserves not just a tweet but a thank-you call from Trump.