Hyderabad: US President George W Bush was on Friday treated to a slice of Indian rural life when he visited the Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University campus in Hyderabad and interacted with farmers, members of women self-help groups and artisans.
During his 90-minute stay at the Agricultural University at Rajendranagar on the city outskirts, a cheerful Bush mingled freely with farmers and artisans, shook hands with them and liberally signed autographs.
A picture of typical rural India was on display as the American President went round the stalls exhibiting a wide range of farm products, handicrafts, handlooms, fruits, vegetables and spices and also had a close look at the fields showcasing Indian crops and agricultural practices.
Accompanied by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy, Bush, wearing a blue shirt and black trousers, visited the National Seeds Project in the University campus where a wide range of agricultural technologies and farm practices were put on display.
The Presidential entourage was earlier welcomed by a group of Koya tribal dancers from Khammam district who tapped their feet to rhythmic drumbeats.
Walking past the special enclousers where officials and other invitees were seated, Bush waved at the crowd and proceeded towards the stalls.
Bush, accompanied by the Chief Minister, stopped at each stall, posed for photographs with each volunteer and evinced keen interest in the handicraft products on display.
Be it his attempt to lift a giant pumpkin, caressing a girl child and reaching out to the farmers in the demonstration fields, Bush charmed his way into the gathering.
He witnessed a handloom-weaving machine and had a close look at the silk sarees and handloom products. The women garlanded him and presented a straw cap.
Bush was also shown a seven-year-old buffalo, Murra, brought from Haryana.
As the Chief Minister explained to him about the activities of the women self-help groups, Bush appreciated their spirit and sought to know more about their contribution to rural economy.
The representatives of a self-help group told the US President that they were able to access bank loans and were promoting the concept of saving among rural women.
Later, he went round the stalls exhibiting a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and pulses and organic crops. A farmer from Anantapur district presented a plough to the President who lifted it on to his shoulder and posed for photograph.
So excited was the gathering over the presence of the world's most powerful man in their midst that a tribal woman Nagarajamma, a member of Self-Help Group, kissed the President on his cheek.
Bush held her four-year-old daughter in his arms and posed for photograph.
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