I felt both awe and I was among those crying about Obama's victory. Anyone who had anything to do with the struggles of the 1960s and after in the U.S. would.
about Sanjay Dutt, you missed a very important thing. Sanjay said that Priya Datt had no right to use the name because "as a girl she ought to take the name of her husband." And Renuka Chaudhury leaped in to say, "who are you to tell us what name to use?!" regards, Gail On 1/23/09, Siddhartha Kumar <mailsiddharth...@gmail.com> wrote: > > http://shobhaade.blogspot.com/2009/01/no-awe-some-shock.html > > Thursday, January 22, 2009 > No awe..... some shock > > Obama disappointed me during his moment of glory. It started with the > double fumble while taking the oath (Michelle's face was worth > watching during those tense few seconds), and carried on from that > point to a weak finale. Of course, the well -rehearsed speech had its > moments (come on, if the President of the United States of America, > with his team of speech writers can't get it right, who can?), but his > crucial bhaashan lacked dum of the kind expected on such a historic > occasion. I thought his rousing 'Yes, we can..." address right after > his nomination, was far more effective and stirring. Deconstructing > this one, what was my take away?? Frankly, I don't really know. Apart > from mentioning world religions (okay Hindoos, you count - but > Buddhists and Sikhs obviously don't) and stressing on diversity > (current buzz word internationally), I really don't understand what he > was pushing. The only time he touched my heart was when he paid a > tribute to American servicemen - that sounded genuine. But the ominous > words , "America in decline '' right at the start of the speech, were > negative, even though they are true. Americans don't need to be > reminded of that scenario at this point - and certainly not by a brand > new President. His reference to his ancestors was not required, > either. Did our former Dalit President keep harping on his roots? > Never! Did Abdul Kalam talk about being a Muslim in a predominantly > Hindu country? Never! Obama personalised his status by bringing his > father into the speech ("60 years ago, he would have been refused > service at a restaurant"). These sort of reminders cause pain and the > world needs positive reinforcement rather than an opening up of old > wounds. Obama resembled a sharply dressed news anchor, an Oscar's > host, a show biz moghul.But that apart, I felt let down by his > content. Now... let's see him in action. His time begins now! > ************************************** > My jaw dropped listening to Sanjay Dutt - and more so - listening to > Maanyata - holding forth on their political ambitions. There is a > limit to the public's tolerance in such matters. Or ought to be. If > Sanjay can claim with a straight face that he sees himself as a > 'leader', not a politician, and insist he wants to 'serve the people' > (pray tell us, how?), and those statements go unchallenged by an > awestruck anchor (really Mahrukh!) sorry, but we disgrace ourselves in > accepting his words at face value. Not just Sanjay, but any convicted > individual must be debarred from contesting the elections. Ditto for > illiterate candidates. Citizens have the right to push for these basic > reforms before it is too late. As for sati savitree Maanyata's > virtuous admission that she seeks her husband's permission before > going out for coffee with her friends..... wow!! she's come a long way > - from pole dancing to political shamming. Shades of Eva Peron?? Maybe > we deserve them both. Shall we distribute a few jadu ki jhappis in > their honour? > >
