Late Sandeep Unnikrishnan of the NSG ..

Taj Hotel under attack ..

Sandeep's mother touching her son one last time ..

Sandeep's mother faints on seeing her son's dead body ..

The slain officer, Sandeep Unnikrishnan, 32 years old Malayali, was cremated this morning in Bangalore .. The only child in the family, his mother Dhanalakshmi fainted at seeing his dead body ..

Sandeep will always be remembered as one of the great alumni from Frank Antony Public School, Bangalore.

" To live in the hearts of people (country) you leave behind, is never to die " - Thomas Campbell.

tragic ...

Snaps from the terror attack 

ge..

Photos from Mumbai, 27 Nov 08

Snaps from Mumbai, 26-27  Nov 08.

Mumbai, in the line of fire ...

Mumbai, a city where I spent six years of my life, is now bleeding .... Poor Advani and Togadia, the 'real' terrorists, walking scot-free are silent, they cannot utter a word now against terrorists. Their group of fundamentalist radicals ( the bunch  of anti-nationals ) from RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal are fighting for the same terrorists  and attacking the police and the anti-terror squad for tagetting the terrorists .. I believe, terrorists are not from any religion. No religion practices and advocates terrorism .. Targetting the majority vote bank for power, Advani and co are against the minorities ... RSS and BJP who have taken to mob terrorism and bomb terrorism should come in the open regarding their stand on supporting terrorists and absolve themselves of their double standards and double talk .. They should stop their activities aagainst the nation and support nation building !!

With Silky ..

 Andrew (l), Jobin (c), allen (r) with Silky..

 

Kochumol and Sunny's kids. Andrew at left and Alan , right with Silky ..

23 Nov 08.

Close up of flower at home ..

 


Canon A70, 3.1 Megapixel... 4 year old camera ..

Task of taking India forward ..

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/24/stories/2008112451891000.htm

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/25/stories/2008112555590800.htm

A two part article by former Judge of the Supreme Court Markandey Katju on taking India forward .. 24,25 Nov 2008.

very good one.... informative !!

ge..

Alarming time, intellectuals cry foul ...

The attempts by some opposition political parties to subvert investigations by the Police and Anti-terror squad into the incidents of terror in Malegaon, Maharashtra is very alarming ...

It has all signs of imposing a majoritarian agenda, terrorising the public, police and the investigative agencies, casting aspersions on the investigating agencies right from day one, mobilising public opinion against fair and just trial in such incidents and communalising the atmosphere with a malicious intent..

This does not bode well for the Indian democracy which has always believed in democracy and rule of law. The parties trying to impose cultural nationalism in the country are not ready to accept the multi-cultural secular nature of our constitution which is the basic foundation of our democracy.

The editorials in the media are ample evidence of the import of such malicious action being carried out by the major opposition party to derail free and fair investigation into the terror incident.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Opinion/Editorial/EDITORIAL_COMMENT__Mind_Your_Words/articleshow/3733676.cms

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/20/stories/2008112055201000.htm

ge..

Malicous efforts to discredit a security agency ......

After  failing in communalising the armed forces, the BJP/RSS combo is trying to discredit the Maharashtra Anti-terror squad, accusing it of acting against the majority community. Besides taking on itself the onerous responsibility of protecting the majority community, BJP/RSS is trying to use extra constitutional means to mobilise public opinion against the arrest of monks involved in acts of terrorism.  Being monks belonging to the majority religious community does not insulate them from proceeding against, if they have been found to be involved in acts of  violence and terror ..

BJP/RSS is surely barking the wrong tree and is undermining the democratic foundations of the country by blatantly accusing the security agencies of communalism. They are trying to mobilise public opinion against the probe on Hindu monks. This is malicious on its part, with cruel intent .. Will BJP agree to strengthening the POTA act now ??

Looks like they have never wanted India to remain truly democratic as their ideals are the fundamentalist ones of Savarkar and Golwalkar. It is upto the people to ignore such groups and work to make Indian democracy work and not succumb to "mobocracy" !!

ge..

US auto industry in dire straits !! GM, Ford and Chrysler running for cover !

"Free market economy is good a long as the trousers of your competitor tears, but it stops when your trouser starts tearing and showing"

With recession hitting the US auto industry hard on the face, the CEOs of GM, Ford and Chrysler are begging with the government to give them about $25 billion of concessionary aid to bail out the industry.

They claim and threaten that otherwise, US would be hit hard and US economy would find it hard to get out of recession.. 

A big lesson for the whole world .. 

Free market economy is good a long as the trousers of your competitor tears, but it stops when your trouser starts tearing and showing ..

As academicians, during these times of stress on global economy and industry, we are at pains to teach the students what is good and bad for the economy and the world .. There is nothing fail-safe .. 

Tata Motors had recently announced a cap on its expansion plans for the time being . else GM, Ford and Chrysler would have been running for cover from Tata ..

ge..

Two faces of India ..

It is quite ironic to find that during these times of national rejoice and elation, after the successful lunar mission launch, two totally different faces of India are emerging. A section is trying to take the country ahead in spite of all odds and a fringe section of our population, trying to take our county hundreds of years back.

One group is ISRO, the forward looking organisation, taking the country ahead by leaps and bounds. We are all proud of their great contributions.

The other group, the Hindutva forces, that lunatic fringe of society who get their high on the teachings of Savarkar and Golwalker, dreaming of a Hindu Rashtra, trying to impose majoritarian terror in the country, is pulling the country backward ..

One of the leaders of the backward looking organisation was quoted as saying that his community people can never be terrorists ( I do not know whether he means the members of that lunatic fringe can only be murderers and rapists, which has been revealed to us by now in Gujarat and Orissa). According to him, only minority community members qualify to be called terrorists. Whatever they do for the country, the onus is on the minority community always to prove their nationalist and patriotic credentials !! a pitiable state of mind ..

Togadia, who cannot think straightforward, has hijacked the very concept of nationalism and patriotism. ( and has assumed the unsolicited role as the spokesperson of the majority community !!, hijacking that role too ..) Is Praveen Togadia, that firebrand arouser of communal emotions and master of inciting hatred between communities, awaiting the same fate of Uma Bharati ??

The concept of Hindu Rashtra has been ingrained deep in their minds from a very early age, their innocent minds during the formative years have been pounded with hatred for other communities.. At this age it is not possible for them to start thinking positively and constructively.

It is no problem whether this lunatic fringe joins the mainstream or not, their nuisance value cannot be underestimated !!

Image of moon taken by MIP .

Image of the South pole region of moon taken by the moon impact probe from Chandrayaan as it was released at 8.01 PM to crash onto lunar surface on 14 Nov, 2008.

Photo of earth taken by Chandrayaan I Oct 29, 2008 .....

Chandrayaan-1 took this photo of Earth from Earth orbit on October 29, 2008 at 07:00 UTC. Near the center of the disk is the northwestern coast of Australia; the Sun glints off the Indian Ocean adjacent to that coast. This image has been flipped horizontally from its originally published version to match the proper orientation. Credit: ISRO

A beautiful cartoon .... on Obama ..

hello,

This is a beautiful cartoon ..

george..

That is Mohan, .. an old class photo ..

ge..

Member / head of Chandraayan I propulsion team ..

I was really surprise to hear that my benchmate at SD College Alleppey and College of Engineering Trivandrum, M Mohan was part of the propulsion team of Chandraayan - I which made history for being the cheapest and technologically superior moon mission ever to orbit the moon launched by India on Oct 22.

Indians are on top of the world now !!

With tonight's soft launch of the Moon Impact Probe ( MIP) Indian presence on lunar surface will be established..

Some of my earlier blog entries ..

http://george-easaw.blogspot.com/2008/11/ambiliammaava-thaamara-kumbilil.html

http://george-easaw.blogspot.com/2008/11/lunar-mission-what-it-means.html

http://george-easaw.blogspot.com/2008/10/ambili-ammava-thamara-kumbilil-enthunde.html

george..

Ambiliammaava Thaamara Kumbilil enthunde ..

It was very heartening to hear of Chandraayan I, India's first moon mission settling in lunar orbit about 100 km from moon surface, both at the apiselene ( farthest point and periselene, nearest point, in a circular orbit) after the onboard rockets were fired at 6 33 PM IST on Wednesday, 12 Nov 2008. The mission is a total success !!

With this successful manoeuvre, India has written another golden chapter in its history, aviation history, by being the sixth country in the world, after USSR, US, EU, Japan and China to establish lunar presence. Thanks to the vision of Vikram Sarabhai and Jawaharlal Nehru whose wildest dreams made all this possible ..

From the logistics of ferrying rocket parts on bicycle at Thumba launch station continuing to the moon, the journey has been marvellous and awe inspiring..

On 14 or 15 November, India will crash land the Moon Impact Probe on the lunar surface, which is painted with the Indian tricolour, truly establishing our presence on the moon.

Ambili ammaava thamara kumbilil enthunde,
kandu manassilaakkan njangalangethukayaanallo ..

With the help of the the onboard equipments, from different countries, the Chandraayan I which will be in lunar orbit for the next two years, will give information regarding the radiation levels, presence of water an other minerals on the lunar surface and map a three dimensional profile of the entire lunar surface.

Quoting Neil Armstrong, A small leap for Chandraayan, but a giant leap for Science and Technology !! To carry out this project very precisely without hiccups, at one fourth the cost of other competitors, is a truly a giant leap demonstrating the technological superiority of this launch ..

ge..

Margeret Alva's fall ..

Politics is a big time business in the country. How many ineligible parasites make a living for themselves by clinging onto somebody and sucking their blood ?

Politicians do assume a ot of things. They enter the field of politics with a service mentality and then prop up their children and wards onto politics. They are aware of the fame, perks, rewards and big money in this business. Once they have tasted it, they do not want to let go, Moreover they also want their wards to enjoy the same powers..Like we have doctors i our society who want their children to become only doctors and spend lakhs sending them to capitation colleges, even though they are not worth a penny for that profession. 

This what happened to Margeret Alva former Union Minister and Congress Gen Sec. She thought Indian politics and more pointedly Congress party was her family property and they owed something back to her for the services she had given to the party. What foolish ??

A famous saying goes this way, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Mageret Alva had to eat the humble pie, her fall from heights to the roads has been tragic Hope more politicians learn this hard lesson that politics is service , not a family proposition.. .

ge..

That's Silky ....again .. curious..

 

Anila and me ..

 

That's all of us ..

Jobin is busy these days with the camera, and he took this for us..

ge..

chandrayaan - 1, more images ..

It was very heartening to read one statement from the ISRO website ..

The objective of the mission is to provide challenging opportunities in planetary research for the younger generation..

What a foresight ??

Indeed it is not only challenging, but a thousand times more than that. Let our bright students realise that it is not Narayana Murthy and Azim Premji who is going to bring respect to the country, but people like Madhavan Nair, Chmn, ISRO,  AnnaDurai, the Project Director.

george..

Lunar mission, what it means..

Moon mission statistics, so far ...

Only Russia ( former USSR) in 1959, US in 1960 (manned mission in 1969) , European Space Agency, Japan and China have ever ventured to reach unmanned missions to the moon. Of this only US has conducted the first manned mission in 1969 and followed up with 5 more upto 1976, the Apollo series.

European Space Agency did it in 2003, Japan and China in 2007 and we have managed in 2008 .. India's is the 68 th moon mission ever ..

We managed the difficult Lunar Orbit Insertion  (LOI) successfully on Nov 8 th, the first time on our maiden mission. The US did it only after 6 failures and the USSR failed 13 times .. Also we managed the moon mission at one fourth the cost of other comparable missions.. Does that testify something related to our technological prowess, ie. our cost competency and technological superiority ?? 

We are matching step by step with China, our technological competitor and neighbour, the only international player and threat in the Indian radar as of now. China is getting a little uncomfortable now and then. All other nations are slowly fading into insignificance given their complacency and failure to provide any real competitive challenge in terms of costs, technology and human capital .. The slowly evolving grim economic scenario and their loosening grip on reality, can only add to our comfort levels (and future complacency, too.. so beware ..)

Even though Chinese media have been downplaying out lunar mission success, ( for obvious reasons..), together, we can do wonders. We have the necessary means and measures to work together for the betterment of humanity. It is in the interests of the other nations to keep us at loggerheads, aloof and separate.

If we work together we can give the necessary leadership to the world as we did just three hundred years back, (controlling 40 - 50 % of world trade), before colonialists and the dominating whites separated us apart with their version of patriotism ( Samuel Johnson never had any problems coming to terms with his convenient contemporary interpretation..) .. Our aspirations are very legitimate given that the colonialists never had any prick of conscience with their version of patriotism, dominating and enslaving host populations.

Our leadership ( given our civilisational superiority) will not be with the evil intent of the colonial powers, but for betterment of humanity and the greater common good !! 

george..

War for Terrorist superiority .., exposing the fundamentalists !!

The war on terrorism is morphing and taking new dimensions these days. The war on terrorism is losing its edge as now it is the war for terrorism. Communities are vying with each other to establish who can do maximum damage on the society and innocent public through bombs and RDX. If one community is doing it only with bombs , the other has managed to do it with mobs and bombs .. A really competitive environment, makes one feel insecure and useless unless you align with one group or the other ..

While one community sources the hardware from abroad across the border, the other community sources it from our own armed forces stocks. Surprising ...!!

The communal polarisation that has happened in the Indian armed forces, starting from the time when the BJP govt assumed power, has helped in transforming a basically "apolitical " organisation into a political one. This is a matter of grave concern for all publicly spirited individuals ..

The meanness of the armed forces personnel to attempt to distort the secular nature of the constitution to serve the political needs of a lunatic fringe section of the majority community in society shows the power of propaganda and brainwashing being carried out secretly and publicly by these groups. Even the armed forces have proved that they are not immune to such low level propaganda..

The professionalism of the Indian armed forces are at stake !! The fact that the armed forces intelligence gathering mechanism is playing into the hands of these fundmentalist groups out to divide the country, with passive supporters from all over the world, is indeed shocking ..

While agreeing that having the choice and discretion to forcefully exercise majoritarian terror is the "hidden" agenda, ( how easily we forget History and the German role in precipitating the second world war), the onus is on the enlightened citizens in the society to understand this gameplan and to keep aloof from such petty politicking ...

If only the authorities take necessary action to prevent the rot setting in !!

These fundamentalist groups and their leaders, having done the damage, distancing from this rot at this stage, when things have come in the open, cannot absolve oneself of the responsibility ..

george..

Black man in the White House..

A tale of contradictions, 20 years back in the US, but no more...

The smart, well educated young man who six years back found it difficult to attend Democratic conventions, has now emerged as the country's most powerful official.

The average racist white American had to eat the humble pie, accommodating a black educated lawyer with only 2 years of experience in the Senate.

Martin Luther Junior would be very proud about his American Dream. Americans who had defaulted during his time in 1963 on the promissary note given by their constitution to the blacks ensuring equality in jobs and education had to give in to the blacks. 

After hearing the results of the election, Obama displayed his powerful oratorial excellence, at the Grant Park, Chicago to a crowd of a hundred  thousand people, on similar lines as  given by Martin Luther in 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln memorial then to two hundred and fifty thousand people. Electrifying, in short, nothing more..

Definitely a relief, for the world, not to mention of the joy in Iraq and elsewhere..

george..

Kandhmal waiting to erupt again ??

The murder yesterday at noon, 5 Nov, 2008, of a VHP activist Dhanu Pradhani in Khandamal district of Orissa, the epicentre of previous attacks on Christians, is sure to spark a spiral of attacks against Christians in the area.

VHP is pointing the finger at Christians this time too. They have all along only been interested in casting aspersions and doubts on the Christian community and communally incite the common uneducated man, not interested in finding who the actual culprits were.. Clear traces of fascism ..

Even though Maoists openly claimed at the first instance to have killed Swami Saraswathi Lakshmananada in writing to the govt ( which was suppressed) and reiterated it a second time in an interview given to a news channel, VHP was not interested in finding the truth of who had done it. VHP had by then carried out their hate campaign against a minority community, for which they were waiting for a long time, which cost almost 38 lives and numerous rapes ....

It is just because of the army personnel at these places presently that VHP is delaying their attacks against Christians. They are just waiting for a supportive statement from one of their leaders to unleash a reign of terror and violence ..

Any attacks now may bring hard comments from across the world. The last time, the govt did not take a firm step. It did not want to derail the signing of the Indo-US nuclear deal and did not take a firm stand to root out the communal, mob terrorism and did not want to precipitate a crisis back home. The Christians all over the country watched with trepidation and fear as the commumnal goondas from VHP and Bajrang Dal went on a rampage. While the govt came out with a ban on SIMI, the Islamic terrorist group, they never agreed to ban the Bajrang Dal which was unleashing terror against peace loving communities.

This time we hope the government is fully prepared with all steps to avoid any more genocide by the VHP and Bajrang Dal on the Christian community. The Christians also understand the sad plight of the VHP who is totally helpless with the Maoists and fear their reprisals very much. But their fear of a group should not turn out as attacks on another community, which is against all civilised conduct, logic and reason..

Why is it that the govt is developing cold feet and going slow against the communal hatred unleashed by the Bajrang dal ?? Can a group or party hold the nation to ransom on such an important issue ??

While this is sure to bring in supporting comments from VHP sympathisers from across the world, ensconed themselves in the safety of their host countries, securing themselves against such discriminatory treatment and communal terrorism in their new adopted homes, I only can tell that it is but a natural reaction from any individual. Slowly they too will realise the futility of their stand.

And Christians can only pray for these basically good people from the VHP and Bajrang Dal who have been misled by their leaders feeding them with the poison of communal hatred and shower them with love, hoping that the government will take a stand to protect them from any violence and genocide ..

george..

Obama's victory speech, 4 Nov, 2008

OBAMA at his victory spech ..... 4 Nov 2008. Grant Park, Chicago..

Hello, Chicago. If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference. 

It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states. We are, and always will be, the United States of America. 

It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day. 

It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America. 

A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Senator McCain. Senator McCain fought long and hard in this campaign. And he's fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. 

I congratulate him; I congratulate Governor Palin for all that they've achieved. And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead. 

I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart, and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton ... and rode with on the train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden. 

And I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my bestfriend for the last 16 years ... the rock of our family, the love of my life, the nation's next first lady ... Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia ... I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us ...to the new White House. 

And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother's watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight. I know that my debt to them is beyond measure. 

To my sister Maya, my sister Alma, all my other brothers and sisters, thank you so much for all the support that you've given me. I am grateful to them. 

And to my campaign manager, David Plouffe ... the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best _ the best political campaign, I think, in the history of the United States of America. 

To my chief strategist David Axelrod ... who's been a partner with me every step of the way. To the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics ... you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done. 

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to. It belongs to you. It belongs to you. 

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington. It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. 

It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy ... who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory. 

"I know you didn't do this just to win an election and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime, two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. 

"Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor's bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair. 

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you, we as a people will get there. 

AUDIENCE: Yes we can! Yes we can! Yes we can! 

OBAMA : There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years _ block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand. 

What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice. 

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other. 

Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers. In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. 

Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity. Those are values that we all share. And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.  

As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. 

And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too. 

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. 

To those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope. 

For that's the true genius of America: that America can change. Our union can be perfected. What we've already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow. 

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight's about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old. 

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons _ because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin. 

And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America _ the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can. 

At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can. 

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs, a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can. 

AUDIENCE : Yes we can. 

OBAMA: When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can. 

AUDIENCE: Yes we can. 

OBAMA: She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that We Shall Overcome. Yes we can. 

AUDIENCE: Yes we can. 

OBAMA: A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can. 

AUDIENCE: Yes we can. 

OBAMA : America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves _ if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made? 

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can. 

Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America. 

Obama finally makes it with ease .......

Congrats Obama ...

Be it Federal structure or Parliamentary structure of democracy, it is no mean job to come to the top position in the country.

There is hope for US now... The conservative white will feel shameful of his approach to blacks for more than 200 years ...

A smart victory....

ge..

Signs of US democracy maturing ..

Testing times ahead for America and Americans..

In another 12 hours, Americans would have voted for their President. They would have shown to the world, in spite of all economic, unemployment problems back home, how much they value democracy and its basic tenet of equality. They would have shown to the world, that it is not the colour of the skin of the candidate which would influence their mind and choice, even though many of their ancestors were dumb enough to think and do so.

In a way they are allowing American democracy to mature, even though it is one of the youngest democracies of the world. Amartya Sen in his book, the Argumentative Indian says how India had valued and upheld democratic thinking and actions for centuries and how it had influenced the society and intellectual thinking of other countries for ages..

The American community, who shoved a peace loving Red Indian community deep into the forests and was built from a group of marauders and plunderers from all parts of the world, gathered together to weave a heavy political, social and economic agenda and dream for themselves, treading on the path of the native Americans. These are events which history may well not pardon and forget .. (GIVEN THAT THIS HISTORY IS NOT WRITTEN AND DICTATED BY THE MARAUDERS!!)

In the next twelve hours, many a proud white American ( a product of the mosaic of cultures from across the world..) will be humbled and blown off his feet to realise that Americans have changed not only outwardly, but inwardly in their attitudes. They will no more be called hypocrites..

While they grow, it would be good to realise that they have lot to learn from the vibrant Indian democracy. How India had elevated people from the backward, disadvantadged sections and minorities to the top levels of administration and politics. How in spite of having fascists with imposing majoritarian thinking and ways of influencing thoughts of the majority community, like the RSS and BJP in the society, coexisting with others, Indians irrespective of political lineage and ancestry have voted to bring peace, harmony and prosperity to the millions of its citizens across the length and breadth of the country.

Americans would at the same time be surprised to realise how the minority community PM of the country, Dr Manmohan Singh is taking the country ahead by leaps and bounds in the comity of nations. They would also be ashamed to understand how they missed the bandwagon to bring equality of the masses, not just for wordsake, but through actions, when they realise how far Indians have gone ahead culturally and socially, asserting its civilisational, intellectual and cultural superiority..

In less than sixty years of the birth of the Indian democracy, Indians managed to elevate and bring a person from the minority community to be the President, Giani Zail Singh and from a backward community Dr. K R Narayanan. They also brought a woman Mrs Indira Gandhi as PM and now Dr Manmohan Singh as the most vibrant and respected Indian PM ever ..

Americans can learn a lot from the mature Indian society and people.. If only they showed the openness and cordiality to realise their shortcomings (especially during these times of challenge and economic hardships) and the willingness to take a helping hand from others..

This is not meant to take a dig at Americans, though it may sound so. This is a piece of solid advice !!

Those who have ears let them hear and those who can understand let them do so..

george..