Urmi Basu (middle) with Hillary Clinton and Sohini Chakraborty of the NGO Sanved at ICCR. (Rashbehari Das)

I was fortunate to meet Bill Clinton on April 7, 2001, when he came to Calcutta representing the American India Foundation. The meeting with 12 representatives from different NGOs was held in Raj Bhavan. It was a semi-formal kind of setting.

Clinton had this huge charisma. He was wearing a pair of black trousers and a blue checked shirt with his sleeves rolled up. His presence made everyone around him so comfortable. He had this extraordinary ability to make us feel very special. He took time out to speak to each one of us — asking about our family, where we were raised and educated, what were the things in our life that we hold important.

He laid a great deal of emphasis on two things — education and healthcare. Empowerment of women was also a major issue he talked about.

He was very, very approachable. One thing I remember was he must have been on the go for a long time during that trip, so even while sitting next to the governor he suddenly took off his shoes, pulled up his left leg over his right and started to massage his foot and toes. We were so taken aback, but it gave us the indication that he was so very comfortable and that is how world leaders probably are which helps them take on such huge responsibilities.

When we moved in for lunch, he talked to each one of us in small groups and it was like talking to friends.

Today, in my meeting with secretary Clinton at the ICCR, she paid a great deal of attention to the young people at the exhibition. We were formally introduced but she crossed the formal line and went up to the performers, shook hands and appreciated them. Again, there was a lot of personal engagement. She never said: “I am Hillary Clinton…” but instead asked “and you are...?”

It did not once seem that she was coming from a position of power or fame but from a position that she is truly focused on. And trafficking in persons has been an important thrust of her focus.

Because she is secretary of state, the burden of her office was very evident here whereas Bill Clinton had come to Calcutta as past president. Security was more at ease and physically he seemed more relaxed. The way he moved was so easy, almost like a dancer.

Secretary Hillary Clinton seemed a little less of that. Physically she is a stiller person. Bill Clinton on the other hand was very fidgety. He couldn’t sit still. Someone with tremendous physical energy. Hillary seemed more calm and composed. She reminded me of Diane Keaton.

They’re a couple that has gone through a great deal in their own lives but the fact that they’re both so gifted and have such intense and clear political acumen, comes through very easily when you meet them.

Who would you rather meet, Bill or Hillary, and why? Tell ttmetro@abpmail.com