THE WASHINGTON POST GOES GA GA ABOUT THE TANA MEET IN WASHINGTON DC: CHECK IT OUT

The Washington Convention Center is not a particularly warm or colorful place, nor is it meant to be. It is a blank slate of glass and marble, designed to mutate according to the needs of its patrons, whether they be veterinarians or Baptists. Last week the convention center was transformed into southern India. More than 13,000 people who live in North America and speak Telugu, the second most common language in India after Hindi, descended for three days of song and dance, cuisine and speeches in what is sometimes called "Teluglish" -- Telugu with a smattering of English thrown in. For the youth, there were Telugu karaoke and a speed-dating session.

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SHANKARDADA ZINDABAD HAS BILL CLINTON PUSH, FORMER US PRESIDENT TALKS OF GANDHIGIRI AT TANA MEET

Former US president Bill Clinton has said the single biggest challenge the present-day world is facing is one of "identity", a problem which was well understood by India's founding father Mahatma Gandhi.

"The most important challenge to the world is how we think and feel and teach our children how to think and feel...It is a thinking pattern," Clinton told delegates at the annual Telugu Association of North America here.

"It is the central challenge to the 21st century world. It is about identity, how you define your life in relation to others," he said.

"Gandhi understood this. He had a vision of India which was heartbreaking in the beginning -- Pakistan separates. Gandhi knew from the depths of his soul," he said.

"Sometime in the 21st century, the Indian economy, the Chinese economy and European economies will all be bigger than the American economy. Some time in the 21st century we will face the challenges of climate changes and resource depletion," he said, adding the way one deals with these issues will depend on "identity".

Clinton also did some fund raising for his wife Hillary, the top Democratic candidate seeking the party nomination. But not once during his keynote address did Clinton talk of his wife running for the nation's top office in November 2008 or seeking the support of those assembled.

BALAKRISHNA SINGS AND DANCES HIS WAY INTO NRIS HEARTS IN US: A PHOTO FEATURE

HAS CHANDRABABU NAIDU PLANNED HIS US TRIP TO CASH IN ON BALAKRISHNA'S POPULARITY?

Let's make one thing clear right at the outset. Chandrababu Naidu has a way of planting stories in the media. For two reasons. One, he has the media in his pocket. And two, he does it so subtly that even the seasoned journalists can't figure out his moves. The latest rumour which is doing the rounds is that Balakrishna might accompany Chandrababu Naidu on his US visit at the end of the month. While Balakrishna is going to attend the TANA conference, what is Naidu going to do there, we wonder. Piggyback on Balakrishna's popularity? In normal circumstances, they would have been miles away from each other's reach. And Naidu wouldn't even be crossing the path of any member of the NTR family. But, now Naidu is ploughing a lonely furrow in terms of popularity, and he has no choice but to cash in Balakrishna's soaring popularity in the US of A. And get some mileage for the sagging image of the party in the eyes of the people. Therefore, it is reported, that he has been using all his clout to muster the goodwill and popularity of the Non-Resident Telugus in the US to boost his image. And that is what Naidu desperately needs back home to kick off his electoral campaign. And Balakrishna becomes the best bait for him, especially now after their bonding becoming stronger with Chandrababu's son Lokesh's engagement to take place with Balakrishna's daughter Brahmani in the last week of August. Towards this end, we are told, that Naidu even "arranged" an invite through his contacts in TANA. Quite possible. For you can never underestimate the guile of Chandrababu Naidu. He knows where to sow his wild oats. And if the opportunities are not ripe in India, which they are definitely not, as everything he touches is bouncing back on him, he would start from abroad. But, will he be successful in taming Balakrishna? That is the million-dollar question right now.