A Dream for India

I had planned to write an independence day post with the famous "I have a Dream" speech by Martin Luther King Jr. Ofcourse I never got to it and to the other 10 posts I had planned in the last few months. The context is different today but the crux of the matter is still the same. Inspiring speeches are different high all togather and the one's made in difficult times is even so ever more. In August, Obama was still campaigning for the highest office in USA and that in itself was the realization of Martin Luther King's Dream. Today when he has won the 2008 elections, its complete in all sense. The below excerpt from the speech describes the horrible days that the blacks have seen and the reason for the tears streaming down so many African-americans as they hear Barack Obama give his Presidential victory speech.

We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall march ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" we can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.

I am not big on American politics and have very limited gyaan. Based on the little I know, from the Indian stand point the republicans were our favourites. But President Barack Obama has undeniable charisma and his winning the elections, more than the policies he plans to bring in and the change, is more about beating the racist race that America fought for over 2 centuries.

I am sure you have all heard the Victory speech. I thought it was brilliant. And so was John McCain's concession speech. I specially loved the line "Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much. And tonight, I remain her servant.". Both the speeches seemed so much from the heart. They both make references to leaving behind a better country for their children and grand children to inherit. And they both sign-off with a "God Bless America". It shows such deep rooted emotions for the land they call their country.

Why do we have no such speeches in India? While I was reading Rashmi's post, it seemed like Ghosh, when did I pen those down. Its not the normal gareebi hatao bhashan that I am so keen to hear but something that tells me the leader on the top is genuinely interested in taking the country ahead and not just filling his pockets. We need a Obama who can rock the nation and win the youth of this country over. Today, young India is least interested in casting their votes, because we see the atrocities of ideas like regionalism allowed to flare under one government while the other took extreme measures to invoke religious sentiments for the votebank, all in a democratic & secular country. Making the right or wrong decisions is one matter but genuine intent is a different matter all togather and its the genuine intent that keeps getting questioned every time in apna India.

This win gives us reason to hope, we shall overcome the religious and region based fanaticism one day and become a truly democratic & secular country. We will be able to overcome our prejudices of people from different caste, creed and colour and be truly independent. I really hope we will one day leave behind a land our kids and grand kids will be proud to inherit.