Happy Obama Day!

November 5, 2008 is a brand new day for the US of A. Voters triumphed over Pundits, Practicality triumphed over Prejudice, Intellect triumphed over Ignorance and most importantly, Hope triumphed over Fear. To put it more simply, the American people overcame their vulnerabilities as human beings and united for a greater cause fueled by hope. They got out of the train they had been traveling for the past 8 years and embarked on another one in a totally different direction.

I propose that the world celebrate this day as "Obama Day" signifying things that are much larger than Obama. He will be after all, like the Olympic torchbearer, who carries the torch lit by the millions of people he inspired. It is now his responsibility to carry this torch around the world, light many more like it and pave the way for more torchbearers. This day should remind all of us of the immense power we have - as citizens of democratic nations in the world. It also signifies how important democracy is and how easily it can be toppled by waving the magic wand - of fear; of terror and of the dark unknown. Let this day bring light into those dark tunnels that we are so afraid of - as light is still the best fear fighter known to mankind.

May this day also mark a symbolic beginning to the end of two wars - one, the unjust war in Iraq and the other, the American civil war on the middle class. America has the largest wealth gap between people in any developing country - it is a nation of the select few who have everything and everybody else who have select few things to hang on.

No matter what your political leanings are, let this day remind you that democracy is to be treasured, opposing opinions are not to be caged and that even though you are just one among the many billions in the world, you are not insignificant in the grander scheme of things. Let us as human beings, not underestimate the power of leaders who organize at grass roots, inspire men, women and children in the hope of a better future for mankind as a whole - it takes a great deal of courage, thick skin and humility to do what they do. Let us rise above our feelings of discouragement (things will never change, efforts will be futile, the rich and the privileged will always have their way by throwing more money into it) and hope that even if their chances seem grim in the beginning, they might just end up changing the world. Above all, let us teach, inspire and influence our kids to be like these leaders and to always do the right thing - though the rewards of their deeds may not be instantaneous.

Here's to hoping that all of us find our moment of awakening and not shy away from it. It was a ride in a first class compartment for Gandhiji, who then went on to inspire Martin Luther King, who in turn, paved the way for Obama. Happy Obama Day, everybody!