Hugo Chavez is made for television. Even Obama couldn't resist his charm or else as cynics say, his huge oil deposits. Though Chavez did not attend the meet, Venezuela' rebel status got quite a fillip at the ministerial level meet.

The foreign ministers included its support of the constitutional government of President Hugo Chavez and its support to the people of Venezuela to elect their own form of government and determine the economic, social and political system without foreign intervention.

The NAM also added their concern for the growing intelligence activity against Venezuela and Cuba and condemned the attempts and recent conspiracies aimed at assassination plots against President Hugo Chavez.

From the time of the 7th summit in New Delhi, when Fidel Castro gave Prime Minister Indira Gandhi a bear hug and called her his sister, Castro has been the hero for the Indian media.

The octogenarian who is battling poor health was the towering figure of many a NAM summit meet. He swept into power more than 50 years ago and though his detractors are many his admirers in Cuba and rest of the world are a legion to themselves.

Watching him thump his hand in the air in his military fatigues while calling the US names gladdened many a liberal heart in the sixties and seventies.

In today's world, not many can have that effect on crowds. Most world leaders are slaves to teleprompter or Ivy League speech writers. Or worse, bureaucrats from the stable.