If you saw my face, I'd be smiling ear to ear," Nancy Pelosi tells THE WEEK, lighting up the evening sky in India, which is still taking in the euphoria over the chances of Vice President Kamala Harris becoming the next president of the United States.
It is 7:15 in the morning on the American west coast (7:45pm in India) as Pelosi, former speaker of the US House of Representatives and one of the leading power centres in the Democratic Party, settles in for an exclusive conversation. Her infectious enthusiasm easily breaks the gap of time, cultures and civilisation as she bonds over shared experiences of Gandhian philosophy that she marvelled at as a little girl and of imbibing the Dalai Lama's message of peace.
Pelosi's arena of public service spans continents and hearts, making her one of the most popular world leaders. "Be yourself. Be ready. And know your power," writes the 84-yearold leader in her new book, The Art of Power, as she prepares to pass on the baton of being a "mother" of her country's children to her long-time friend Harris. "I look forward to not being the most powerful woman in politics in America when she will become president of the United States," says the first woman speaker of the house. And as potential president, Harris is unique. "She happens to be a woman. She happens to be black.
She happens to be an Indian-American," says Pelosi. A gush of joy comes through her words.
When Pelosi was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1987, she was one of just 23 women among its 435 members. Most older male members on the Capitol Hill dismissed her as a wealthy housewife from San Francisco, but by hard work and sheer force of personality she rose to the senior leadership of the house Democrats, which had been a male preserve.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock
