1. Yamuna2010-11Volume 83 25
BINGU WA MUTHARIKA
In conversation with Nishtha Mishra and Gaurav Agarwal
HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF MALAWI, CHAIRMAN
OF THE AFRICAN UNION AND A SRCC ALUMNUS.
On a personal note, this interview almost didn’t hap-
pen. Tight security, a team of Protocol Officers and
an extremely tight schedule threatened to dampen
the mood and cancel this highly anticipated inter-
view. This was when the President come down to visit
SRCC, his alma mater, following the convocation held
in his honour.
We might have still broken a few (million) protocol
rules that day, but ask us, it was completely worth it;
to attempt gauging a personality, if only in the span
of fifteen minutes.
Yamuna: Mr. President, first of all, we are extremely
grateful to you for consenting for an interview
with Yamuna, the college magazine. You graduated
from SRCC in 1961, nearly 50 years ago. How does
it feel coming back?
President:
I am proud and privileged to come back. Coming
back to the alma mater is always very special. And
as I have always maintained, Delhi University is one
of the best Universities in the world.
Y: You first completed your B.Com in SRCC, then
went on to do your masters at the Delhi School of
Economics. How was your experience and what
do you recall from your days both in SRCC and in
D-School?
President:
As a young man, I had come to India in search of
knowledge and both SRCC and DSE were instru-
mental in converting my dreams to reality. It was
not easy of course: so far from home amidst a dif-
ferent people, but I had the determination to work
hard and shine. And then of course God always
helped in the journey.
Y: You have been widely credited for introducing
responsible policies enabling economic growth in

2. Yamuna2010-11Volume 83 26
Y:In your opinion what should be done differently
in order for Malawi and other African nations to
close the economic gap?
President:
Malawi today stands as the best managed economy
in Africa. With a growth rate of 7.5% it is well above
the global average and even the African average.
We however need to work on a few key areas like
food security and technology on farms to enhance
the African living standards in general. In effect,
in a few years from now, Africa will no longer be
poverty-stricken. Efforts have been made to better
conditions of living. It’s only a matter of time now.
Y: You have been quoted as calling yourself a “Delhi-
wala.” In your opinon, what defines a “Delhiwala?”
President (laughs):
A Delhiwala is not a term by location. Any indi-
vidual who is warm at heart and ready to treat even
stranger with warmth in his heart is a Dilli-wala.
Dilli, I am sure you know, comes from ‘Dil’ – mean-
ing the heart. I am only grateful to the people of this
city in particular and of India in general for accept-
ing me when I was a student and honouring me
when I am the Chairperson of the African Union.
Y: What do you envision for your country in the
years to come?
President:
Well I wish to concentrate more on the present and
at present the Malawian economy is the best it has
ever been. At a globally competent growth rate,
my people can hold their heads out and walk with
pride and of course the credit for this goes to their
hard work. We have plans set for future as well in
Agriculture and Education, Childcare and Women
Empowerment.
Y: Finally, a message for the students of SRCC?
President: You must be proud that you are
studying in the best college in Asia in one of
the world’s oldest universities. This college
has a culture of hard work and it was here that
I began my journey. I worked very hard and I
advise you to do the same as the fruit borne out
of labour is always tastier. May be the moment
is appropriate to say that sky is high but reach-
able. Go out and shine. God bless you.
MALAWI
WEST AFRICA
THEAFRICANIDENTITY
PEACE
picturesfromtheTeaPartyMagazine,2005