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Clinton showers praise on Indians: PTI

Indians have done more for America than Americans have done for them, said former United States president Bill Clinton as he hit the dusty streets of rural Uttar Pradesh on Sunday.

Clinton, who flew in specially to honour his friendship with non-resident Indian Vinod Gupta, laid foundation stones of the Science and Technology Centre named after him and a Centre for Multimedia Technology named after his wife.

Heaping praise on Indians settled in the US at the Hillary Centre, Clinton said, "America has been good to Gupta and millions of others like him."

"There are over 200 different ethnic, religious and racial groups in the US and Indians rank first in education among them," he said.

A great admirer of India, Clinton said, "No nation has potential to do as much good and be prosperous as India in 21st century".

He expressed hope that as US provided good education to girls in the 20th century, India would be able to do it in the 21st century.

"Human rights are women's rights. Every girl child should have good education so that she can contribute to her society and country," he said.

Praising his wife Hillary, now a Senator from New York, Clinton said he was making appearances for his wife "after 25 years the other way round".

"I am very proud of her. No one in her position went to so many countries with the objective of empowering women," he said.

After landing at Sarsawa air base, Clinton drove straight to Gochar Krishi Intermediate College, where he laid the foundation stone of William Jefferson Clinton Science and Technology Centre.

Describing Gupta, chairman of $350 million infoUSA Inc as "my very good friend", Clinton laid the foundation stone of the Hillary Rodham Clinton Centre for Multimedia Technology at the Srimati Ram Rati Gupta Women's Polytechnic, named after Gupta's mother.

The district administration had made elaborate security arrangements for the high-profile visit.

Crowds went hysteric when Clinton, sporting a tilak and garlands and wearing a blue and red striped shirt with black trousers, arrived at the venue.

Clinton obliged the crowds by waving at them, hugging elders, shaking hands, posing for photographers and even signing autographs.

College students presented cultural programmes.

He also presented certificates to some students and staff before flying to Jaipur.

PTI

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