A day in the life of LIFE

In 10 minutes from now, the largest democracy on the planet will celebrate its existence as a sovereign socialist secular democratic republic. And being in the Rajdhani gives you the air of royalty even as you see the semblance of this historic day in the Indian context.

Well, the 26th of January is important to most Indians - especially when it falls on a friday or a monday. The two most important days that make a quick vacation possible.With choices ranging from Shimla to Jaipur, fellow Indians are making the most of the getaway. I saw quite a few vacant chairs in office on friday last only to learn that the holiday planning had been perfect.

For others, it is a day when "dhandha thoda mandha hai" since people wake up at noon, thus jeopardizing the "rosy roti" of the morning hawkers.

While many others are put off by the traffic advisories that prevent them from smooth cross border movement into Noida, Gudgaawaan and Faridabad, there are some who complain that too much of congestion has lead to their day getting wasted.

I overheard a few school kids discussing about their all important class match owing to the "holiday" tomorrow.

The Times reports that jobless teenagers living on the streets dread 26th January since they get beaten up by the police in the name of security.

My father advises me on phone to refrain from venturing out into the streets tomorrow since it might not be "safe".

A country of a billion people checks, rechecks and reassures itself that after all the elaborate security arrangements, it is safe enough to "celebrate" the red letter day at the Red fort - painting the picture of a painful ordeal for many involved in otherwise what should an expression of self reliance.

Well, if you are reading this post and donot fall/relate into any of the aforementioned categories, chances are that you are a "neta" who will be attending the parade tomorrow.

This is the county of the billion Indians (myself included) who swear by the opening lines of the Indian Constitution - " We the People...." and immediately move on to the chai paani kept at the corner of the stadium.

The time has come to move ahead from just the 3 opening words - we need an attitudinal change to change ourselves and influence change in others.

It is only then, that "We the people" will eventually evolve into what we are truly capable of. Let Me stop talking and Let Us start acting.

Proud to be Indian. Happy Republic Day. Let's make it meaningful. Jai Hind.

Even as the 44th President of the United States assumed office in Washington D.C., the world waited with bated breath to witness Bushisms translate into Obama’s blah blah.

The rhetoric was evident over the entire discourse that Senator Obama provided his wide eyed audience with. For me, it was a respite after watching Chandni Chowk to China on Sunday last.

I settled down into the couch with some baklava (Jordanian sweet meats with pista and other dry fruit sandwiched in between) and mused at how America was going to follow the “In Change, I believe” punchline of Barrack Hussein Obama.

The line I liked the most through the 20 minutes that I sat before the idiot box was – “Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met”. [huge applause by the audience to something that made no sense at all…..]

Digressing slightly, my aunt brought in an interesting point, loaded with sarcasm though, when she said “What is the difference between Raju and top bosses of the financial behemoths of the US. While the latter flouted the bare minimum rules governing credit worthiness, the former did the same – just that he overrated his personal repaying capacity on the interest free loan that he provided to Maytas” .

Well, as a starting point, Obama has decided to infuse activity in the US Mail system. Yes, in the age of the e mail, Obama believes snail mail deserves its rightful place in propelling America forward. Why else would he then write a letter to his daughters instead of using technology?

In terms of other sectors of the economy, terrorism tourism that was so actively promoted by his predecessor will be continued in order to show to the world that there is no better place for free practice of war games than the oil fields of Iraq and the hills of Afghanistan.

The 35 word oath seemed as tough as Shakespearean poetry to Obama, who stumbled and fumbled in front of his bemused wife who could not stop grinning. George Bush, I am told felt nostalgic about all the bloopers that he had had over his years in office.

Introduced to the gathering as the son of an African Immigrant whose rise to the supreme office against all odds was almost as if it had drawn inspiration from Danny Boyle’s latest flick to fame – “Slumdog Millionaire”.

A pensive Hillary Clinton watched the ceremony with the look of “So near yet so far” on her face. Others who attended the ceremony were Aditi from Connaught Place, Dev Babu from West Patel Nagar, Chunnu from Patiala, Chironji Laal from Ferozpur aur unke saathi. As the citizens bore the chill - draped with jackets and KFC banners, others across the world celebrated the rise of “hope over fear”.

The Times of India reported that the Luo tribe in Kenya rejoiced the fact that one of their descendants made it to the land of Amerigo Vespucci and then made it big. The Japanese town Obama, which means “little beach” in the local language, felt the emotional connect owing to the commonality of name. – Osama , are you listening?

The school in Jakarta where he studied as a pre nursery kid said that the President had taken his fledgling steps on the lawns of the Indonesian capital. Success has many fathers. Indeed.

I was trying to relate the grandeur of the event that cost 170 Million $ with that of the “Great Indian swearing [in]”. Maybe Madam Mayawati could comment on this.

Well, as the clock struck 12 and the billion people in India decided to go to sleep as Obama continued his historic speech, I decided to turn in too, with the only hope that his comparison with the legendary Martin Luther King Jr. turns out to be atleast 1% true – for, I have been truly inspired by the American leader of yesteryears who did not make his speeches, but actually lived the dream!

(I strongly recommend anyone who has not heard Sir Martin Luther King Jr. emote “I have a dream”, to log onto youtube and get inspired..)

Till then, “God Save America!” [pun intended]…Congratulations Mr. Obama, we await the change [for the better]..