O-B-A-M-A

Two million people at the National Mall in Washington alone. The world watched too as Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. So did I. I rudely cut roomie's soap operas and switched to CNN to witness history being created. Some day I may live to tell the tale of how Barack, the much touted Afro-American President of the United States, stumbled with his swearing-in oath.

I was a bit disappointed as I watched the man who had run the most successful of election campaigns, the man who Americans were pinning their hopes on, take his oath. Clearly, he was under too much of a pressure to be the best. So before Chief Justice John Roberts could complete the first sentence, there was Obama abruptly breaking out into his first names... "I Barack Hussein Obama.." and then waited for the judge to complete the sentence.. The next line was even taxing. He stopped short after two words... "That I will excute..." and then Justice Roberts continued "That I will execute faithfully the office of president to the United States..." But Obama did not get it right, however correct he was as he rhymed .."The office of president of the United States faithfully..." Oh No, I thought, the whole world is watching and he shouldn't go wrong. But then on second thoughts, a little bit of imperfection is admirable in a competent man.

And then the inaugural speech. Journalists were trying to decipher the finer sentiments in what Obama said. I listened with rapt attention to a man who is compared to Abraham Lincoln and other greats. The poignancy was only towards the end in this bit:

So let us mark this day in remembrance of who we are and how far we have travelled.In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by nine campfires on the shores of an icy river.The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood.At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:Let it be told to the future world that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet it.

Save this,the rest of his speech lacked anecdotes and was largely an impersonal one, and stressed too much on equality, layered with Afro-American hues. It was as if Obama was crying out to be known that he the Afro-American has arrived and that justice will pervail upon America. It was as if America did not embrace the ideals of equality and justice to the hilt and that he was going to change things. Every country has had its own journey, its own history, its own evolvement as a nation and he happened to be at the right time and right place. The rest of his speech had all the diplomatic platitudes. So, in other words, I wasn't greatly moved the way I was when John McCain gave his losing speech at the end of the American polls. That was a straight from the heart talk. Never mind his pre-poll idiosyncracies.

But I watched the rest of the scene and I wished I was at Capitol Hill as I saw the first lady and second ladies in their top gear and fineries. I thought it must be so frustrating for the millions having to watch it all from a screen. So near yet so far.

Comparing to swearing-ins back in India, I think the American style is so cool. Poetry, Rock concerts, Balls -- they all add up to a perfect celebration. I heard Obama attended 10 inaugural balls in Washington last night. I can't imagine the common pot bellied Indian politicians doing a jig with their saree clad wives. Or even giving their wives a peck on the cheek or walking hand in hand. Michelle Obama does compliment her husband and I am a wee bit jealous. O-B-A-M-A!!!