Barack Hussain Obama

Why should the ascendance of a middle-aged charismatic African-American in a far away country half a world away to the presidency, make any difference to a person of my profile i.e. Asian male in his late thirties, located in a tier-2 city in Western India, middle class, with some global exposure but otherwise unaffected by the US and its activities.

But it did affect me. I was shaken and stirred. Tears welled-up. Obama represents the great hope that in a sense all of us have and expect of our rulers. He seems an essentially decent guy with balance in his step and a nature of reaching out to others. Perhaps no more will we hear the ‘axis of evil’ speeches or the world divided into the righteous and the evil; or ‘us’ and ‘them’. Perhaps there will be after all a reconciliatory atmosphere.

And now here’s the cynical me, rearing my head again. I hope he doesn’t turn out to be just another politician……………

Acceptance speech 4-Nov-2008


Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


Speech at the Democratic National Convention




Iowa Caucus Victory speech



The Story of Barack Obama's Mother

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1729524,00.html