The Day After

November 5, 2008

Whoa, what a night it was! I witnessed history being made in live time. At 11 p.m. even as the votes had been partially counted, Jon Stewart (Daily Show) announced Obama as the winner. My eyes welled up. I stayed up till 1 a.m., a near-rarity for me unless I'm returning from a late-night party. McCain's concesion speech was gracious as it should be and Obama's acceptance speech was controlled yet electrifying. In the audience, Jesse Jackson's face was soaked in tears and Oprah Winfrey's face smiling from ear-to-ear, projected disbelief like did so many other faces. Yes, it was a surreal moment.

America had once again emerged a giant among nations. Last night, how proud I felt being a citizen of this country and electing its next president. I wonder how those immigrants who chose not to get naturalized felt last night. Like Mr. Obama, a son of a Kenyan father but native-born to a White American, said, now America had once again followed up its words with action through the "Power of Democracy." Once agian, "Not just tell but show!"

"The road will be long, the climb will be steep," declared the president-elect. A bitter sweet pill to swallow but as long as he continues to set an example, the rest of the country will continue to be realistic, too.

It's losing track of reality that put America on the wrong track in the last few years. Hopefully, now it will get back on track. So will all those individuals who too had been following a mislaid path that has inevitably led to the present state of human affairs, particularly in human relationships, that primary foundation of any human effort.

As I watched Obama and Biden shoulder to shoulder, I said a silent prayer: God please keep them safe. Give them the courage, wisdom and strength to lead the country and the world in a wholesome direction. Amen!

On November 12, I am scheduled to speak at the Plainview-Bethpage Library and the title of the talk is: The World's Two Vibrant Democracies, India and the U.S., a Cultural Perspective. This week's history making events alone should inspire me to do a good job.

Ciao!

God Bless America, God Bless the World, God Bless the leaders, God Bless one and all.