In 2007, I was in the US and was a witness to the Presidential election “hangama” between John McCain of Republican Party and Barack Obama of Democratic Party. Barack Obama was, of course, the star and the toast of the world — what with invites from Germany, France, Egypt and other countries to address public meetings.

On return, I wrote 20 epistles to Obama in my column Abracadabra seeking his patronising concern for India's problems, including terrorism. The 20 articles were later produced into a book under the title “Gandhi's Epistle to Obama”.

Now that Barack Obama is in India on a three - day visit (today being the last day), I thought it would be interesting to reproduce the last of the series of 20 articles I wrote. Here it is:

Everybody is complaining about the weather but nobody does anything about it. This is in London. In my country everybody complains about terrorism but nobody does anything about it.

— K. B. Gandhi

Your Excellency, Barack Obama,
Congratulations on your assuming office as the 44th President of America, United States of America, as you insist on calling your country.

I have heard, what one is born as is God's gift to man; what one becomes is man's gift to God. Undoubtedly you are man's gift to God.

I am afraid this last of my 20 epistles to you may read solemn, as it should be on this occasion, as also a bit sombre. And yet I will not have said all that I wanted to say nor perfectly expressed. For words, like nature half reveals and half conceals the soul within, says Tennyson.

The difficulty in dealing with today's world is not because of changing technology — military hardware, nuclear weapon, space research — but the changing, unpredictable, behaviour of our leaders. And you are a leader. You must watch on this difficulty. But at the same time listen to Warren Milles: "Don't take life seriously because you can't come out of it alive." And Henry Ford said: "Don't take your business lightly because it will cost you dearly." We have the example of Satyam IT giant here in India. And you have your economic melt - down.

Your Excellency, from now on your responsibility is real. The change you promised should not confine to Washington alone. It must be seen, felt and experienced globally in this global - village. I have heard that if there is no love in the kitchen, there is no taste on the table. Similarly if there is no love in your heart there will be no peace in the world. Don't discriminate, if you want a just world order.

Britain and your country and also UN where your voice is the loudest, look at my country, India, through the prism of your Middle East policy. You do not have to please the Islamic world at the cost of India. Remember Your Excellency, in India too we have 18% Muslims and remember India is a Secular country with its principles well enshrined in our Constitution unlike Pakistan which is a non - secular, Islamic country.

I have already told in my earlier letter the injustice done to my country in 1948 by the British Foreign Secretary and as its ally by your country on the Kashmir issue. Now once again Mumbai 26/11 has afforded your country and UK an opportunity to atone for your 1948 sins by being fair at least this time. But, unfortunately the utterances of British Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Your Excellency's lady team - member don't seem to be any different from your 1948 foreign policy towards India.

May be a Democratic and Secular India seems an easy country for your diplomatic overtures and maneuvers than a rogue, unstable State like Pakistan. But why make us pay for it. Don't ask us to have patience and soft - pedal on 26 / 11 because you want to stabilise the inchoate democracy in Pakistan. You can't advice us to exhibit enlightened self-interest while allowing Pakistan to exhibit its absolute self-interest and drag its feet on 26 / 11 terrorist attack. Remember Edmund Burke who said: "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Our good men in Delhi apparently have been doing nothing in the face of frequent terrorist attacks on our country and 26 / 11 was waiting to happen.

Your Excellency, I was a bit embarrassed the other day while watching Times Now TV channel wherein a retired Pakistan General was responding to our General Kapur's statement that war could also be an option “to protect our citizens”. The Pakistan General with his tongue – in - cheek said, “how come then you could not protect Mumbai from 26 / 11”. Words of war there. Of what avail?

This one letter, Your Excellency, I wish to keep short but let me caution you on one very important aspect of your life in White House. Sex. Yes, I know you are a family man, deeply attached to your family with two lovely kids. You are also young at 47 like Bill Clinton was when he entered the same White House. For two terms. He was a stallion in the White House looking for fillies. And found one in Monica Lewinsky. Remember how Bill enjoyed his cigar dipped in Monica’s hot - spot? And the pleasure was returned manifold by allowing Monica to do a prolonged blow - job from under the Presidential table even as the President discussed serious matters of State with world leaders on phone? And the whole hell broke-loose. Bill was almost impeached and came out safe but bruised of reputation.

"Morality is of the highest importance — but for us, not for God," said Albert Einstein, the messiah for all the scientists and the thinking people. So keep away from such carnal temptations and abstain from stealing such affections. Leave all that immorality for our Gods.

While in White House Barry, there is something you and your family members should be wary of. Abe Lincoln's Ghost. The soul of an assassinated person is said to be serenading around as a spirit in the place where he lived when he was killed. So it was. We know Abe was a good man but with his sunken cheek and a clipped beard he really looked gaunt. His apparition may frighten your kids. Of course you and Michelle are bold and daring. I am worried about the kids till they grow up and become bold and daring like you.

Is it for this reason, in order to mollify the spirit of Abe Lincoln, that you decided on the train journey and to swear as 44th US President on the same bible used to swear - in Abraham Lincoln as the 16th President in 1861? There are some similarities to Abe's Presidency and yours Barry. You announced your historic bid for Presidency from the steps of the State House in Springfield, Illinois, just as Abe did. But I hope and pray similarity stops here... Did you get me Barry? May God and your security protect you.

Yesterday I was reading a holy book and ran into the following verses which I thought fitted into your life rather aptly:
Did He not find thee an orphan and protect (thee)?
Did He not find thee wandering and direct (thee)?
Did He not find thee destitute and enrich (thee)?
And Barry, I may add one more line to these sacred verses:
Did He not find thee powerless and empower (thee)?

Let your focus be on bringing about the “change” about which you have spoken so much. Raised expectations to hysterical heights. There is a danger of disappointment if you don't reach even half that dizzy height. Watch out, Barry. I am with you. Try to bestride this world like a 21st century Colossus. You are no doubt great as an orator and also to an extent as a man of letters. But now you have to prove yourself great as a General [after all right now you are engaged in two wars], great as a politician [which, I figure, you have already proved yourself], great as a far - seeing Statesman and great as an economic wizard in these days of economic melt - down. In short, emulate the qualities of Julius Caesar, sans Cleopatra. God bless you.

But before I close, a word of caution about the way you should handle journalists. Being a journalist myself, I think, I must tell you this. After all you are vulnerable to unjust criticism and inaccurate reporting of your remarks. So listen to this story and learn:
"The Swedish bishop had been warned that when he arrived in the United States he would have to watch what he said to reporters as they were notorious for their ability to twist statements around to give them different meanings.

Vowing to be careful, the bishop was not alarmed when a sizeable group of newsmen met him at the dock and one of them asked, "Do you intend to visit any night clubs in New York?"
The bishop smiled benignly and asked, "Are there any night clubs in New York?"
But the next morning when he opened his paper he realised what the warnings had meant, for the headlines read: "BISHOP ASKS: “ARE THERE NIGHT CLUBS IN NEW YORK?”
So, Your Excellency Barack Obama, here is wishing you all the best and glory.

Yours Sincerely, Gandhi