Bhama to Obama, Hanuman ready for flight

The endearing and much revered Hanuman is apparently one of the
'charms' behind Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential candidate
for 2008. The Hanuman connection now has Obama striking a chord beyond
US borders. On Tuesday, All India Congress Committee member, Brij
Mohan Bhama, presented a two-foot high, gold-plated idol of Hanuman to
Carolyn Sauvage, chairperson of Democrats Abroad India, a gift that he
hopes will finally reach Obama himself.

Bhama's gift for Obama was given at a special prayer performed by 12
priests at the Sankat Mochan Dham on Pusa Road on Tuesday afternoon.
The prayer, arranged by the Sankat Mochan Dham Trust, was also a show
of support for Obama's entry into the White House as it invoked Lord
Hanuman for his blessings for Obama's victory.

Bhama claims that while he has always been a supporter of Obama, the
Democratic candidate's devotion to Hanuman has strengthened his
backing. "Barack Obama is a Hanuman devotee and so am I — hence I
thought I should gift him the idol," said Bhama.

Carolyn Sauvage was herself presented with a garland and made to wear
a decorated turban by Bhama. Ovewhelmed by the gesture, she presented
Bhama with two American flags and a badge that read 'Obama '08'. While
Sauvage thanked "Bhama and this community (referring to the Trust)"
for the gift, she graciously reminded the hosts that she would be
in-principle unable to carry anything but good wishes back to Obama.
"I can only carry good wishes, as any sitting US senator cannot
receive a gift of over $10 from anybody." The idol, as Bhama informed
Times City, is worth a lakh.

In face of this news, Bhama and others from the Trust remained unfazed
and enthusiastic. They clearly announced that "the idol shall reach
Obama 11 days from now. Till then it will be kept in the same temple
and worshipped everyday." Speaking to Times City, Bhama said: "If the
idol cannot go through Ms Sauvage, someone else will carry it. In any
case, the idol will reach United States of America before the final
elections are held, if not just after 11 days."

According to news reports, among Obama's good luck charms are "a
bracelet belonging to a soldier deployed in Iraq, a gambler's lucky
chit, a tiny Madonna and child, and a tiny monkey god" though the god
is not identified. The 'tiny monkey God' speaks of Obama's much talked
about international upbringing, and a part of his childhood days spent
in Indonesia, where Hinduism is one of the religions, dominant
especially in Bali.