Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Historic

The election of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America is a historic global event for more than one reason. He won on a positive note. He never appealed to the narrow sentiments of race or region. He believed in and stressed on the oneness of America throughout his campaign. His strong academic background helped him to project himself as a statesman with a liberal outlook. He is not arrogant like his predecessor. May our political leaders too develop the vision of oneness and give up vote-bank politics.

G. Sankara Bhanu,

Hyderabad

The epoch-making election of Mr. Obama is perhaps the second earth-shaking event in the American history, after the abolition of slavery. That the descendent of a social class once frowned upon and socially boycotted should rise to the top post in the U.S. is indeed a miracle and testifies to the wisdom and sagacity of the Americans. Both the Democrats and the Republicans should rejoice at this historical happening, for it is beyond party politics.

K.P.R. Iyer,

Bangalore

Mr. Obama’s victory is a historic event and is sure to have an impact on not only America but also the whole world. It is for the first time that the United States of America has really stood ‘united.’

Tarun Girdhar,

Chandigarh

The victory of Mr. Obama is remarkable in many ways. An African-American winning the U.S. presidency is no mean task. Whenever the campaign by his opponents assumed racial tones, Mr. Obama sidetracked the issue by addressing the real issues facing the nation. His acceptance by the whites marks a turning point in American politics.

K. Baskar,

Chennai

The President-elect’s address to the nation was powerful and moving. One hopes Mr. Obama will deliver on his “yes, we can,” promise.

Asha Mathew,

Bangalore

By winning the longest, most expensive and, perhaps, the most arduously fought presidential election, Mr. Obama has scripted an indelible chapter in the history of the U.S. which until 1965 did not give even voting rights to African-Americans. The President-elect has a daunting task of presiding over a nation plagued by economic recession, unemployment, and military engagement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Nalini Vijayaraghavan,

Thiruvananthapuram

Americans have told the world that for them, it is the personal qualities of a leader that are more important than anything else while choosing a President. They are more worried about job losses, high taxes and the outsourcing of jobs, which the President-elect has promised to control.

P.K. Jayanandan,

Kozhikode

Never since the release and election of Nelson Mandela has there been such euphoria worldwide. The victory is not just of an African American but of the spirit of liberty and equality.

Mr. Obama is not an individual but a phenomenon heralding the changing consciousness of Americans and the rest of the world.

Joshua Kalapati,

Chennai

The emergence of young voters coinciding with the victory of Mr. Obama is heartening. It is a sign of ethnic barriers weakening.

K.M. Dolichan,

Ernakulam

Mr. Obama’s victory has proved that racism has been buried deep and a political leader must be above race, religion, caste and creed. When will our country choose its leaders in an election that is free from the considerations of caste and religion?

E. Rajakumar Arulanandham,

Palayamkottai

Mr. Obama’s win is a moral victory for all Americans who believe in equal rights, the need for change and democracy. The expectations and responsibility that go with his victory are high.

Sumathi Chandrashekaran,

Chennai

For the first time, Americans have elected an African-American as President. This is proof of the vibrant American democracy, in contrast to India where an immigrant could not be accepted as Prime Minister.

M.R. Iyer,

Mumbai

Mr. Obama’s win signifies a negative vote against the policies of the Republicans. One cannot expect him to effect drastic changes in the foreign policy or the imperialist character of the U.S.

A.G. Rajmohan,

Anantapur

Mr. Obama’s success has given rise to high expectations not only among Americans but the entire world. His immediate concerns should be restoration of the American economy, and stopping the war against Iraq and Afghanistan.

J. Churchill,

Chennai

Three cheers to the people of the United States! By electing an African-American to the highest office, they have set an example to the racially prejudiced westerners and the caste-conscious Indians.

Sixtus Thundathil,

Kottayam

Mr. Obama will have much to deliver to his supporters in the U.S. and the world over. He has to clean up the nation’s finances and tell the Americans about the long and hard times ahead as the recovery is going to be a gradual process.

S. Mohanakrishnan,

Auckland

Americans have come a long way since the Mayflower carrying Pilgrims arrived in Plymouth in 1620 to build a nation on the foundation of freedom of faith. The election of Barack Obama as President of the U.S. is a milestone in human history. When will India elect its first Dalit Prime Minister?

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