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Obama’s victory

I was least surprised to see many Americans crying as Barack Obama addressed them after being elected the 44th President of the United States because I too was moved by his speech, which was so emotional yet so composed. Not once did he speak like an African-American; he did not describe his victory as a victory over racism alone. He spoke like a true American who wants to usher in change.

I was also impressed by the way the whole ceremony went off. He came, he addressed, they waved and they left. The stoic silence observed while he addressed such a huge crowd of emotionally charged citizens was amazing. I wondered whether it would have been possible in India. While it is to be seen what Mr. Obama’s victory means for India and the world, there can be no doubt that his is a historic win.

K. Padmaja Reddy,

Warangal

American voters have shown the world that a change can take place only when the people determine to become part of the change. They rose above racial and political differences to elect Mr. Obama as their leader.

Abdul Muqhtadir,

Raichur

By becoming the first African-American who will enter the White House, Mr. Obama has fulfilled the dream of Martin Luther King Jr. Mr. Obama, too, has a dream — to introduce change. But is it possible for him to effect any real change, given the challenges ahead?

Sayan Chatterjee,

Hooghly

While applauding Mr. Obama, we can take pride in the fact that we have a Hindu President, Muslim Vice-President, Sikh Prime Minister, and a Christian as the leader of the largest party in Parliament.

Gopi Rajagopal,

Bangalore

Mr. Obama’s victory is no doubt historic. But we should ask ourselves whether it is really as significant as it is made out to be. Mr. Obama is biracial and does not truly represent black America. He has been quite well-off all along. Therefore, to say that democracy is a great leveller is an exaggeration in his case. And let us not go by Obama the individual because he can change after coming to power like any other politician. Let us evaluate him after his honeymoon in the White House is over. The media, in particular, should curb the excitement over Mr. Obama’s victory because the common man in India is still worried about the steep hike in the price of tomatoes rather than the colour of the new American President.

S. Koushik Raghav,

Karur

A leader’s personal qualities, no doubt, have an impact on policymaking. But the fact remains that hawkish neo-liberals exercise a great influence on America’s governance. Can Mr. Obama change the imperial policies followed by successive U.S. governments?

C. Suresh,

Thrissur

There is a lesson or two in John McCain’s concession speech for our politicians who, after losing an election, go on the offensive. It drove home the importance of channelling the support of one’s followers in the right direction, rather than misusing it.

B. Prashanth,

Chennai

While celebrating Mr. Obama’s win, let us not forget to thank the person who actually made it possible for Americans to elect an African-American to the presidency — George W. Bush. But for his policies, I doubt whether America would have been ready to take such a momentous step so soon.

Shyamala Kumaradas,

Thrissur

Mr. Obama’s success is at best attributable to the reckless policies of Mr. Bush and the global economic meltdown. He will continue to follow the policies which are beneficial to his country and take India along as long as it suits him.

Satwant Kaur,

Mahilpur

Mr. Obama owes his victory to President Bush who pushed the great democracy to the brink.

Besides the military misadventures in Iraq and Afghanistan, the financial meltdown — the fallout of which is borne by an average American — was responsible for the loss of Republicans.

K.S. Sundaram,

Bangalore

The U.S. and India are the two biggest democracies in the world. The people and political parties in India should, therefore, learn a few important lessons from the just concluded American presidential election. Our parties should rise above considerations of parochialism, caste, religion and other divisive forces.

As for the people, they should give importance to the merits of the candidates, based on their record of service, integrity, and experience. The elected and the defeated candidate should respect each other and refrain from mud-slinging. The media should create awareness among the people on all these aspects.

T. Ramaswamy,

Chennai

It was Mr. Obama’s promise of change rather than his colour that made him the favourite in the presidential race. This is not the first time that a man from the depressed or subjugated section of society has risen above all odds to become the first citizen of a nation.

V.R. Hari,

Thiruvananthapuram

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