Indians Narrowly Rate Barack Obama over Manmohan Singh

Santa Clara, CA / Mumbai, India - India’s largest social network SMS GupShup is announcing the results of its first Voice of India poll. The topic of this month’s survey was Indians’ attitude toward the job being done by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in comparison with American President Barack Obama.

With over 30 million users, SMS GupShup has the ability to tap into a wide variety of communities, from all sectors of Indian life. The first question that the company asked members was, “Who do you think is doing a better job for their country - Barack Obama or Manmohan Singh?”

Nearly 5000 Indians participated in this round of Voice of India poll, which was distributed to various SMS GupShup communities in early June. The survey concluded that Indians narrowly believed that Obama is doing a better job than Singh by a 4% margin - 52% Obama, 48% Singh.

“Most Indians have a finger on the pulse of American politics, and are familiar with Obama and his initiatives. Overall, these two leaders have much in common,” said SMS GupShup’s Senior Director and Head of Marketing Vishal Nongbet, who oversaw implementation of the Voice of India poll. “As Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh has led highly successful initiatives, leading India from severe economic distress to one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. And though Obama is newer to his position, he has already taken on economic and health care reform. Both of these men have risen to great challenges, and I believe the results of our poll reflect that.”

Obama and Singh have more than politics in common; both were raised by grandparents, and are often described as “self-made” men who didn’t have prestige and wealth to further them on their paths.

Both men also placed high on a different poll this year: Time magazine’s 100 most influential list. Obama was ranked as #21, and Singh at #60.