“I offer my deep condolences to the people of India on the passing of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw,” said US Democrat presidential candidate Barack Obama. “He was a legendary soldier, a patriot, and an inspiration to his fellow citizens.” Obama added.

“Field Marshal Manekshaw provided an example of personal bravery, self-sacrifice, and steadfast devotion to duty that began before India’s independence, and will deservedly be remembered far into the future.”

Barack Obama on his website has paid glowing tributes to Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, the hero of India’s victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan, who passed away last week.

This is a brilliant strategy to bring the Indian-American’s in his fold and is surely the brainchild of the new India policy team set up two weeks ago within his campaign team. The team is co-chaired by two prominent Indian-Americans - Vinod Khosla and Swadesh Chatterjee. A key member of the team and the only Indian-American in Obama’s inner circle is Preeta Bansal, a Harvard Law School colleague of Obama.

The Indian software outsourcing community is uneasy about Democrat’s strong stand against outsourcing. Only time will tell how much such gestures will help to bridge the divide. Nevertheless it is a noble gesture from Obama.

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