Barriers of distance, colour, race, wealth, culture and even language floundered at the doorstep of unmixed affection. Our simple villageAvomen. as if doing what thejf have always done for any special guest. Just laid their hearts and home open. Mrs Clinton could see their warmth, their sincerity and their love, and she responded Just as spontaneously.

Whatever was lost in Prof Yunus's translation from rural Bangla to American English and vice versa, was more than made up by exlreme eager i less to communicate on both sides. A most intimate series of questions and answers followed. that covered everyday issues of life and living. Don't you want another child?" asked an admiring villager. "We are very proud of Chelsea, and are happy to have only her." she replied.

"Do you have cows in your house?" asked another. "Well, my current residence does not permit ft. But many Americans do so. "Do you have your own source of income?" "Yes I did from the age of 13. But now. as

the wife of the US PreMclent. I .mi not allowed io. I I tope to have niy separate income once I leave the White House Such were the intimate and per sonal-levei conversation that the US First Lady had with our village women in Moiahahati •Jessore. yesterday.

As if. like magic, she fat it off with the women residents of Rishipara Within minutes of her arrival site appeared to be at case Wearing a tfress made of Grameen Check (designed and made by InternationaIIv lamed Bangladeshi model turned designer Bibi Russell Hillary Clinton and her 15-year old daughter Chelsea miiigh'd with our village women with amazing ease.

h was almost like friendship at first sight. Our village women look to her like an old triend; offering gifts, hospital Uy and courtesy for which our village society has been trad!

t tonally famous. Some offered her murf(puffed rice) to eat. Some other placed a tcep on her forehead, saying. "We are putting the Rising Sun of Bangladesh on your forehead.” Still others wrapped a Jamdani saree around her. The US journalists, accompanying the US First Lady, reportedly said they had seen nothing like this before during the current trip. By all accounts, this was the highlight of her whole trip to South Asia

Parting kept on being de laved, both by Mrs Clinton and her eager hosts, it had to be firmly enforced by her time managers "We are very happy that you came, but we would have been happier if you had brought Bhalshahebl meaning her husband) along,” was a parting comment. Mrs Clinton smilingly agreed to convey iheir invitation to her husband She hoped he would surely