Yamuna 2010-11Volume 83 25

BINGU WA MUTHARIKA

In conversation with Nishtha Mishra and Gaurav Agarwal

HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF MALAWI, CHAIRMAN OF THE AFRICAN UNION AND A SRCC ALUMNUS.

On a personal note, this interview almost didn’t hap-pen. Tight security, a team of Protocol Officers and an extremely tight schedule threatened to dampen the mood and cancel this highly anticipated inter-view. This was when the President come down to visit SRCC, his alma mater, following the convocation held in his honour.

We might have still broken a few (million) protocol rules that day, but ask us, it was completely worth it; to attempt gauging a personality, if only in the span of fifteen minutes.

Yamuna: Mr. President, first of all, we are extremely grateful to you for consenting for an interviewwith Yamuna, the college magazine. You graduated from SRCC in 1961, nearly 50 years ago. How does it feel coming back?

President: I am proud and privileged to come back. Coming back to the alma mater is always very special. And as I have always maintained, Delhi University is one of the best Universities in the world.

Y: You first completed your B.Com in SRCC, then went on to do your masters at the Delhi School of Economics. How was your experience and what do you recall from your days both in SRCC and in D-School?

President:As a young man, I had come to India in search of knowledge and both SRCC and DSE were instru-mental in converting my dreams to reality. It was not easy of course: so far from home amidst a dif-ferent people, but I had the determination to work hard and shine. And then of course God always helped in the journey.

Y: You have been widely credited for introducing responsible policies enabling economic growth in

Yamuna 2010-11Volume 83 26

Y:In your opinion what should be done differently in order for Malawi and other African nations to close the economic gap?

President:Malawi today stands as the best managed economy in Africa. With a growth rate of 7.5% it is well above the global average and even the African average. We however need to work on a few key areas like food security and technology on farms to enhance the African living standards in general. In effect, in a few years from now, Africa will no longer be poverty-stricken. Efforts have been made to better conditions of living. It’s only a matter of time now.

Y: You have been quoted as calling yourself a “Delhi-wala.” In your opinon, what defines a “Delhiwala?”

President (laughs):A Delhiwala is not a term by location. Any indi-vidual who is warm at heart and ready to treat even stranger with warmth in his heart is a Dilli-wala. Dilli, I am sure you know, comes from ‘Dil’ – mean-ing the heart. I am only grateful to the people of this city in particular and of India in general for accept-ing me when I was a student and honouring me when I am the Chairperson of the African Union.

Y: What do you envision for your country in the years to come?

President:Well I wish to concentrate more on the present and at present the Malawian economy is the best it has ever been. At a globally competent growth rate, my people can hold their heads out and walk with pride and of course the credit for this goes to their hard work. We have plans set for future as well in Agriculture and Education, Childcare and Women Empowerment.

Y: Finally, a message for the students of SRCC?

President: You must be proud that you are studying in the best college in Asia in one of the world’s oldest universities. This college has a culture of hard work and it was here that I began my journey. I worked very hard and I advise you to do the same as the fruit borne out of labour is always tastier. May be the moment is appropriate to say that sky is high but reach-able. Go out and shine. God bless you.

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