‘Extraordinary impact’ by Indian P.M.

Press, 20 October 1986, Page 3

‘Extraordinary impact’ by Indian P.M.

By

JOHN ARMSTRONG

NZPA political reporter Auckland The Indian Prime Minister, Mr Rajiv Gandhi, flew from New Zealand just after midnight on Saturday leaving behind what his local counterpart called an "extraordinary” impact on New Zealanders. Mr Lange’s description of the two-day visit reflects the close friendship between the two men — typified by use of first names to each other in public. It also reflects the associations of the name, Gandhi, in the public consciousness. But the Indian leader radiated on obvious warmth which was picked up and returned by people standing in places as different as street corners and official receptions. In Mr Lange’s words, Mr Gandhi’s personality “burst out of the trappings” that are usually inevitable in the formality of such visits. Always ready to give anybody a smile and a wave — one hotel door-

man was obviously delighted when his assistance was acknowledged — Mr Gandhi maintained an unhurried calm in spite of the constant rush from engagement to engagement surrounded by worried-looking bodyguards. At a reception on Friday evening his audience of officials, members of Parliament, and businessmen and women stood entranced during a largely off-the-cut and wide-ranging speech on international affairs, before Mr Gandhi delivered the final seal to his endearment — the gift of two baby elephants of New Zealand. At a reception in Auckland’s Kingsgate Centre on Saturday evening Gandhi was thronged by members of the local Indian community. The rush to greet him caused some concern among the security personnel who, suddenly finding themselves and their charge caught in the middle of a crowd, still ensured that no-one got the chance to get directly behind Mr Gandhi.