One-kilometre-long missive to the US President will now be sent over e-mail

Peace letter to Obama refused over bomb threat

One-kilometre-long missive to the US President will now be sent over e-mail

Dr Alok Kumar Mishra wanted to promote world peace. He decided to write a unique letter to the President of the United States in this regard, urging him to strengthen the endeavours to achieve harmony across the world. Little did he know that the threats created by the enemies of world peace would not let his message get across the intended addressee.

Dr Mishra, a member of the Juvenile Justice Board in Delhi, along with four children from Basti district in Uttar Pradesh, wrong a one-kilometre-long letter to the US President and thought he would present it to him in person. But after being refused an audience with Barack Obama, Dr Mishra asked the authorities to at least deliver his letter to him.

The security agencies, alarmed at the parcel bomb threats, refused his request. However, he communicated his desire to the White House officials and now they have asked him to scan the letter and send it over e-mail. Once satisfied with the contents of the letters, the officials will decide on accepting a hard copy of the letter. Mishra who pioneered the project said, "It was not about meeting Obama in person.

It was basically the sentiments of people of our home town. We still see a ray of hope as the authorities have not declined our offer. We also want the US president to visit the district and address the local people. But this was not possible. So I along with four children came all the way from Basti carrying the one kilometer long letter."

"However the officials didn't allow us to meet Obama and gift the letter. Instead they have asked for scanned copy of the letter, which would take a week's time," added Mishra, a native of Basti and former post-doctoral fellow in psychology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). In the invitation, they have urged the US president to guide youth and motivate them to join politics.

language no bar

The letter has been put together by more than 11,000 people over eight months and carries a simple message for the US president - "Come and inspire hope". The letter was prepared mainly by joining fax paper rolls end to end. The paper rolls were cut into smaller sizes and distributed amongst the locals. After individuals had expressed their thoughts, the papers were collected and glued together. The invitation letter contains text in different languages, carries photographs of the US president and also has decorative designs. The work on the letter started from February 18 and took nine months to complete. While some have used English, others have written their ideas in Hindi, Awadhi and even Urdu.

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