Yesterday, I watched, along with millions of people around the world (and with estimated two million on the ground) as Barak Obama took oath as the 44th president of the United States of America. This is the first time I ever watched a presidential inaugural ceremony, and I guess probably the first time so many news channels, including local ones, covered the event live in the history of the US presidency.
No doubt a slick presentation, and a wonderful speech from the first African-American president, but I wonder how this will translate to action in the coming months and years. The world, with America at the forefront is facing one of the toughest years in recent history - a financial meltdown that has precipitated a global economic depression of immense scale, ongoing fights against terrorism on multiple fronts in Iraq and Afghanisthan, tensions amongst nations including India-Pakisthan and Israel-Palestine.
If there was one sentiment that was reflected on all the faces looking towards the new president, it was one of hope. Who else but a man who rose up from one of the most oppressed classes in America would be the right choice to lead the bellwether nation out of the crisis arising in no small part due to the misguided polices of the self same nation.
My hope? That the leadership in India would step up and take this nation of a billion potentials to its rightful place in the world arena. And do that by spurring domestic demand and consumption thereby reducing our dependency on external factors, and do this without loosing our value of being a nation of savings oriented people while protecting our identity and national integrity. We need more charismatic, determined leaders, with the foresight and courage to work towards realizing their vision for the nation, working hard even with the knowledge that they will not be acknowledged for their positive efforts till long after they are gone. And to work towards a vision that does not involve their progeny continuing a dynasty, rather, to create a true democracy where people make informed decisions to elect the right leaders for the times.
View a nice Photosynth of the US Presidential Inauguration event here. Microsoft Photosynth is a technology from MS Live Labs that allows multiple photographs to be stitched together to create a multi-dimensional model of the event or location.
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and i hope, barack obama delivers, without getting bogged down by the nuances, heading on with a clear vision and i hope its an inclusive vision... and it will be amazing if as the leader of the most powerful and influential nation on earth, he can return the gift of freedom to the world...!!
ReplyDeletebut, roshin... i've a question... what do you mean by spurring demand? is it really a sustainable economic model where people need to keep buying and trashing and buying more for the economy to go on...? it almost feels like people are there for the economy to sustain, rather than economy being a means for people to sustain...
ReplyDelete@Shaheen - The govt should create demand for domestic products and services in infra, power, renewable energy, agri etc sectors thereby improving employment opportunities and reducing dependency on external markets. For example, govt can work with pvt developers to create low cost housing targeting middle/low income groups. However, consumer confidence has to improve, otherwise no one will buy such houses leading to a glut and a further fall into recession/depression.
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