Yes "He" can...And us?

Carrying a middle name of Hussein and a colored skin, Barack Obama has done what very few others have in history.
Stand up, and stand strong against the conventional and being successful!

Well, I am here trying to draw parallels (or perpendiculars??) between this historic politician and our beloved Ram-Rajya Mantris!

For donkeys years now, Indian politicians always resort to mudslinging during elections, calling names a times completely out of context. Bulk of the “talk” time is “spend” on glorifying what the previous Government could not achieve. While the incumbent stick to what the Government has achieved!
What about the manifesto?
Oops! Start scratching their heads and release a “CD” or a “Corporate Presentation” (err Catalogues!). Come on, do we ever get to see that? Of-course not! No one really cares to read a Manifesto! Okay, I will correct myself; the opposition sure reads that! They need issues to attack the other during the next 5 years don’t they!

The way in which Obama guided American Voters to believe that there is something he could do to bring about that “change”, is nothing different from what an Advani or a Sonia Gandhi does. Politics, in its very nature BEGINS from rhetoric BUT has to conclude at delivering the Governance.

However, it is the grace in which Obama managed to garner the respect of the voters across the races. Colored and White skins together! Apart from his personal Charisma and oratory, most of the grace comes from the system of American Politicians to conduct themselves.

• Obama - McCain did very little of attacking each other, rather each of them claimed to be better equipped to handle American Issues better.
At our end; Congress MP Rajesh Khanna attacks Vajpayee questioning “We may have to ask the Prime Minister how, without being married, he has a son-in-law. Who is married to whom?”
And our dear George Fernandes responds to Sonia Gandhi “``what is her contribution to the nation? The two children she gave birth to.'' A BJP leader in Gujarat even called Sonia a bar-girl who danced in an Italian nightclub!

• Obama - McCain argued on Taxation, Outsourcing, and Health Care since these are the current issues America is fighting.
While we only heard “Reservations” and “Free TV’s!” “Free Electricity” and “We are for YOU” war cries!
This time though, I am sure we have “Marathi Vs Biharis” added “to taste”, just like you add salt “to taste”.

• Agendas keep changing in the US. While Bush argued Afghanistan and Iraq War, since USA could afford to do so that time. Obama went all out to end it. Bush Argued in his time for Homeland Security, Obama – McCain pressed the need of economic resurgence.
Too sad we end up listening to stories of ending Corruption for past 50years! Roti, bijli sadak are promised every year since Independence. Wonder when these are coming! Agree they are being delivered in small quanta’s, but when are we going to move on? Will issues ever change?

• Every Presidential candidate has an option to use the funds from the Federal system, which allows every American to donate 3$ from the Tax he pays to the Fed to the Election Fund. Of course Obama went all out to secure the funds from the public who paid the donations “legally” through the Internet!
Now, I wonder who is funding our politicians!??
The last Obama – McCain election campaign raised an estimated 1Billion US$ i.e. around Rs.4600 Crores. American population being 300million, and hence indeed works out to 3$ per capita donation!
What if we were to allow 1$ or say Rs.50 from every Tax Payer to the election fund on an Avg, cant we raise Rs.5000Crores? End to Corruption forever? Meaning, no party to spend on Winning Elections, hence no “recovery” during 5years of power and hence better governance?



• It is remarkable how Presidential Candidates sit across the same table and argue on National Television on they would get things right. There is a mark of respect to each other despite the dog fight! It is all in good taste and dignity.
"Beloved" Prakash Jawdekar, BJP and "Admirable" Abhishek Singhvi, Congress (both respective Spokesperson) make a mockery of our constitutional “Right to Freedom of Expression” by going absolutely at each other every time NDTV or IBN-7 gives them a phone call! Grow up guys!
Please stop insulting our intelligence!


It is remarkable how Presidential Candidates and their politics are given at least a clean colour, despite all the dirtiness behind it. The very sanctity of the coveted chair is kept in high moral ground and respected.
And it is just about time the Indian Democracy realizes that we are no longer just a large country with the second highest population and an extremely buoyant growing economy. We are a responsible and significantly important political power in Global Politics.

Obama proved he can. He let go of petty politics and called for America to Unite. He called for an end to political division at the hour of crisis. To add to this glorious moment in history, even McCain responds that they are Americans in the end and will need to resolve issues together!

At least, to start with we can try to a bit more “decent”? Parliament listening?