By Henry Foy | Reuters – Sun, Jan 22, 2012 Related Content
Enlarge PhotoEntertainment host Oprah Winfrey poses for pictures in front of the historic Taj …
JAIPUR, India (Reuters) - Amid raucous cheers from thousands of admirers, television superstar Oprah Winfrey praised the contrast of calm and chaos in India at the region's largest literature festival fast becoming a global cultural gala.Considered one of the world's most influential women, Winfrey lived up to her billing as the headline draw at an event boasting literary giants such as Tom Stoppard, Michael Ondaatje and Richard Dawkins, charming the crowds on Sunday morning.
"I came here with an open mind, and it has been expanded... It's the greatest life experience I have ever had," Winfrey said at the annual Jaipur Literature Festival in India's north-western state of Rajasthan.
"You feel like you're in the centre of something bigger and greater than yourself."
Hundreds of eager visitors jostled against barricades at the back of the main stage area as Winfrey began speaking. Security guards struggled to shut the main entrance gates as angry admirers tried to push their way inside.
"It's like being in a video game. I don't know which way to look," Winfrey told crowds on her arrival in Mumbai. "It's a bit chaotic, but there's an underlying calm, a flow, that you all seem to understand. India is a paradox."
The 57-year-old has caused a media storm in India, with news channels and front pages filled with stories of her touring the city of Mumbai with the Bachchans, Bollywood's first family. On Sunday she drew huge cheers as she appeared on stage in a traditional Indian churidar kameez smock.
"I will take with me a sense of calmness, and a genuine respect... people don't talk religion here, they live it," Winfrey said.
Her appearance on Sunday was seen as a welcome distraction from the Salman Rushdie furor that has overshadowed the five-day festival, after the author cancelled his planned visit due to reported assassination threats against him.
The talk-show host and interviewer's "Book Club" turned little-known authors into global stars, with 59 of the club's 70 selected books making the USA TODAY Top 10 best-sellers list.
Winfrey told the festival that in 2008, after witnessing the completion of her mission to get then-Senator Barack Obama to the White House, she stuck a picture of a woman riding a camel on her pinboard, that said "Come to India."
"It was important for me to go to slums but not show the worst of the worst, but show that people can live in poverty and still have hope and meaning in their lives," said Winfrey, who also called for Indians to work to eradicate discrimination against widows in society.
(Editing by Ron Popeski)
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All Comments Shared On Facebook 38 comments Popular Now Newest Oldest Most Replied
Simco • Markham, Canada • 4 days ago I went to jaipur with my children. The culture of this province is very traditional and colourful. Rajasthan has beautiful cities like Jaipur, Uadaipur, Jaiselmer these cities are full of history and culture. Udaipur is the city full of lakes, even there is a palace which was built in 1400 ad on top of the lake. PAUL S • Trenton, New Jersey • 3 days ago Went to Rajasthan to take Palace on Wheel trip. I just can't express how awesome it was. We don't have any 5 star Train in US, but India does even though India is not rich as America. I do love Photography and every time i request any India people to take pic with me they didn't mind. Even though kids, women, old men, even though they did enjoy more and more. But here in US people go panic and get so upset if you just ask to take pic of flower in their yards. Thinlad • Chicago, Illinois • 3 days ago Gee...this must be Oprah's 948th "greatest life experience I have ever had."Good for her, I guess.
Jobs Jobs • 4 days ago "It's like being in a video game. I don't know which way to look," Winfrey told crowds on her arrival .Yeah country has over a billion people ..LOL any event is bigger and chaotic but flows :) "You feel like you're in the center of something bigger and greater than yourself." -TRUE it is not a closed box world there or controlled by media or only know world from TV. LOL
jds230 • 4 days ago once again, the advice of yahoo users is to sit around and do absolutely nothing with your life.... John • Orlando, Florida • 2 days 17 hrs ago Who cares. Go away Oprah. Michelle • 3 days ago Most things are bigger and greater then you oprah. Michael • Houston, Texas • 3 days ago An Okra and Curry Recipe Book? Tom • 3 days ago Well, India does like cows! ballrmom • Irvine, California • 4 days ago Haters, do your thing Ms. Oprah!!!!!! T • Newark, New Jersey • 2 days 23 hrs ago put her and her pal, the pres on a deserted island and hope for a tidal wave!!!!!!!!!! *** • 3 days ago I hope she packed for about a 5 year stay...We need a break for petes sake. Kukulkan • 4 days ago 'Oprah' is sacred in India. Karen • Greensboro, North Carolina • 4 days ago Why so many haters of a woman who tries to do good with her fame and money? Shes not out there rapping about all her "bling" or stiffing wait staff on tips at restaurants because she feels she did them a favor by eating there (looking at you JLo). She funds schools in impoverished places, donates and raises money for HIV/AIDS treatment, climate change, even animal rescue. Her Angel network awards millions in US charter school grants. There are so many other things I dont have room to list. Take 5mins and check it out before you hate on people who are trying to make the world a better place. New Yorker • Cary, North Carolina • 3 days ago Perhaps she could give all her money to India and stay there, I am sure they would love to have her. Dominik • 4 days ago OK, so now she is doing her 'charmin' in another country, after her charms in this country are dimishing from her shilling for products she receives big $$ for. Let her build schools in India (much needed there, for sure), but make sure that no scandals on those she chooses, like happened in the schools she had built in Africa. MRS • 4 days ago I really like her new show. smith brown • Markham, Canada • 4 days ago Oprah, you are the world's mentor. I love your works. keep it up! checkmate • Tampa, Florida • 4 days ago Will she ever just go away???? F G • 4 days ago Oprah doesn't care what any of you think of her. She already has more money than she can spend in this lifetime. Plus, she's educated, admired and respected all over the world. Did I say enough to #$%$ you off yet? I hope so. :) Love you, Oprah! More Post a comment [[ [['Dekraai', 10]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/mourners-remember-seal-beach-shooting-victims-1318620627-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/3/2c/32c8e92d889f42edb719cb5257afdf4e.jpeg', '461', ' ', 'Reuters/Lori Shepler',],[ [['iPhone 4SXXXXXXX', 11]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/thousands-line-up-for-apple-s-iphone-4s-1318602841-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/f/4f/f4f15e8f6f323f5386dc9fdf9e15dca8.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth',]][ [ [['xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx', 11]], '27013743', '0'],[ [['keyword', 9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999]], 'videoID', '1', 'overwrite-pre-description', 'overwrite-link-string', 'overwrite-link-url' ]] You on Yahoo! News Your Activity |Social: OFFON Turn Social ONRemind me when I share|Options What is this?Not you? Log out of FacebookHow to remove this experienceLogin with FacebookNews For YouFactors Linked to Age of Onset of Menopause IdentifiedMom Who Lost Kids, Parents in Christmas Fire Attempted Suicide: ReportJay Leno angers Parliament with Mitt Romney jokeBrad Pitt Marrying Angelina and Having More KidsItaly ship captain "wasted precious hour"Drew Carey & Fiancee Call Off EngagementMan gets car ban after 4 children found in trunkBrewer says she meant no disrespect toward ObamaShock Over 10th U.S. President’s Grandsons Still LivingGeorge Soros Admits He's a Traitorous BillionaireLoading... Entertainment News »
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