Protests mark Bush visit

US President George W Bush's brush with the city of Hyderabad was received both with empty feeling and protest rallies by the Left parties and civil society organisations. Hotels and businesses in the Old City were closed as a mark of protest.

"The Bush visit does not make much impact. He came to Hyderabad on his own will. There is nothing much that we will benefit and also hope no damage is done," said Rajasekhar, a computer operator with Rekha Crop Protection Private Limited, distributors for Syngenta in Andhra Pradesh.

Anupam Rawat with Agro Tech Limited, said, "The US is a developed economy and we should see to it that our trade and business concerns are met with and leave aside the political dimension that is not likeable."

But there were others who were excited about a US president visiting the city for a second time.

"We were excited about Bush's visit but the security cover under which the Acharya N G Ranga University area was brought is unprecedented. This was much more than what it was when the Indian Science Congress was held," said a driver on the rolls of the university. Amir, proprietor of Officemate, a stationery shop at Lakadikapul, felt that Bush's visit to India was to fulfil his own personal agenda.

"He came to India only to strike the nuclear deal and secure a nuke vote against Iran. There is nothing much that the business establishment can expect."