The Obama Affliction and an Indian "Obama"

Much space has been devoted to the rise and rise of Obama. Being an eternal cynic, I wonder what this is all about. Before opening the champagne bottles and before letting the fizz out, we need to pause for a cause. Obama has proved himself in rhetoric and political posturing. Yes, undoubtedly he is qualified for the job and does bring in a whiff of fresh air. He is THE proof of empowerment of the downtrodden and also he is THE living example of how great things can be achieved by even the under privileged.
He might be, as many claim him to be, the "Dark Knight" (sic). But as history has shown -ad nauseam, there is many a slip between the cup and the lip.
His campaign-the whole hog of debates, policies, and ideas- was well thought and relatively free of any jarring incidents (Remember his jibes at Hillary earned him the wrath of Indian Americans). His whole approach looked more inclusive and more progressive than McCain’s right-on-your-face, provocative approach.

I would like to quote the oft-abused proverb here: “A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step". Obama has won the first round and an important one at that. Credit should be given where it is due but with all due respects, a big crisis looming in front of him. Thanks to the profligacy of the previous government, the US economy is bleeding. There is no solution in sight. US has lost the respect of the world. And it is here Obama has to perform. He might be the first afro-American president, but he needs more than that to be remembered in history. He needs to perform else history will bracket him with his predecessor. The world economy hinges on one country and Obama being the president-elect of that country has to pull up his socks and get to work. He has captured the hearts of the American citizens and it is time he captured their minds with a slew of policies, which will shore up the economy. This is the battle he has to win, as the stakes are too high. He needs to prove himself as to be a capable leader, as someone who is willing not only to think & speak but also to act. Till then any celebration is permature.

Indian polity needs to be distinguished from the American one. The Indian one is a "mobocracy" while the American institution is a functional democracy. The Indian democracy died way back in 1960's. It was upsurged by a heady cocktail of crooks, bootleggers, anti-nationals, pseudo seculars and last but not the least "white-ass-lickers". The hangover from the cocktail can be felt even today and I personally feel that the hangover is stronger than ever. Any escape from this anathema?. Wish there were a button which could be pushed and presto everything is hunky-dory. What we need is a systemic change- a French Revolution of sorts, and as anyone worth his/her salt would say, a systemic change in not brought by an individual, but by collective effort. India has many "Obamas", but greedy, unscrupulous and selfish individuals overshadow them. The nation builders are few whereas the parasites abound. The Indian polity is like a malignant tumor. What it needs is not a single prescription pill, but a radiation therapy. A Hero is not the order of the day. The current need is more of masses of ordinary individuals but with extraordinary sense of justice, equality, understanding and a will to excel against all odds. We have long believed in individuals like Rajiv Gandhi-who could have been an Indian Obama, only to be let down. Instead of searching for Obamas in our country we need a bottom-up exercise of such a huge scale that even the current corrupt individuals are forced to change. Until a revolution of enlightened minds occurs inefficient, inept and selfish despots will rule the country.