Americans can’t have all the fun. Obama graciously allowed India to experience the rich rewards that come from thwarting free-market capitalism at the expense of keeping up appearances. As reported from one of the more liberal magazines partnered with CNN,

(TIME Magazine) “The last time these roads were so deserted and there were barricades all around was during the 26/11 attacks,” says L. Ahmed of the stretch of roads leading to Mumbai’s iconic Taj Mahal Palace and Hotel, which hosts President Barack Obama on his two-day visit to the city that began Saturday. A shop assistant at a souvenir store nearby, Ahmed says it’s ironic that Obama started his India state visit by paying homage to the victims of the 26/11 attacks. “The attacks caused us big losses, and this Diwali too there is no business,” he says, offering to join me on a stroll around the area where the security arrangements for the President’s visit have kept shoppers away and forced most shops to remain shut.

Obama began a ten day, four nation Asia trip (which will also include Indonesia, South Korea and Japan) that is focused on expanding markets for American exports by commemorating the more than 170 victims of the November 26, 2008 terrorist massacre that paralyzed the usually teeming financial capital of India.

Yet on this day, many locals on the streets of Mumbai didn’t seem to agree with the President, who seemed to have assumed an “extraordinarily warm welcome” he referred to in his speech at the Taj. In addition to the inconvenience of having to put up with travel and access restrictions, residents are sore about having to curtail their Diwali celebrations. “It’s wonderful to have him come and speak to the youth but on Diwali weekend?” Mumbai-based actor Rahul Bose said, speaking for many in Mumbai when he appeared on TV channel NDTV 24X7. “Surely somebody on the Indian side’s to blame for agreeing.”

Diwali is the biggest, brightest, loudest Indian festival, which celebrates the victory of good over evil, and this year it fell on a Friday, giving everyone a long festive weekend of shopping and bursting crackers. But the President’s visit has seriously hampered the festivities in the hip, wealthy South Bombay area of India’s financial capital, nicknamed SoBo, where he will spend most of his time in Mumbai.

Here, the markets were empty on Saturday – the day after Diwali, and the day of the President’s arrival – at a time that would normally witness the year’s biggest orgy of consumerism. Bursting of firecrackers has been banned in some areas on Saturday and Sunday – which is like banning Christmas trees on Christmas – until the President leaves for New Delhi Sunday afternoon. Marine Drive, the 3-km sea-facing boulevard in south Mumbai, was isolated, as car access was restricted from time to time during the day. Just the night before, thousands had thronged here to let off firecrackers and witness fireworks that stretched into the horizon.

“Our police are working so hard,” said Navin Seth, a banker, pointing to the men and women in khaki, trying to keep some obdurate shoppers from breaking the barricades. “It’s sad they can’t spend their Diwali holidays with their families.” Sitting under a lamp-pos with a toddler in her arms, home-maker Shanti Devi seemed an unlikely part of the Obama-spotting crowd. “We don’t know why everyone else is gathered here. I am waiting for the bus. They have closed some of the roads so there’s a huge problem,” she explained.

Photo courtesy of: I Own The World