While America celebrates...

AMERICA CELEBRATES!

The United States of America celebrated change today, by embracing the election of the country's first African-American President. An expensive election, and trend-setter in many ways, it was followed by millions around the globe. This marks an important point in history where people learnt to put aside racial differences and come together to trust in one man who is a symbol of hope to an economy reeling under a severe economic crisis.

Returning from college today, I watched the speech given by Barack Obama upon being declared President-Elect. His speech was simple, yet inspiring and invoking feelings of patriotism among all. However, at the end of the speech, what I admired the most was his humility and the respect that he gave his competitor Senator John McCain. In a country where we are used to useless opposition and ruling party leaders, who do nothing but attack each other personally, it comes as a breath of fresh air, when the elected President publicly congratulates his opponent and solicits his cooperation in making the country a better place to live in.

In Obama's own words -

"Senator McCain has done so much for this country, sacrificed so much, much more than you or I could even imagine...and I must congratulate him".

And when Senator McCain too gave a wonderfully gracious speech, assuring the new President of his support and calling upon the Republicans to also wish him well and give him their cooperation... it was truly a beautiful moment.

Politics and elections would never be completely free of mud-slinging and it would perhaps be rather naive to believe that would ever happen. But, regardless of what happens during the campaigning, at the end of the day, it is nice to see a warm handshake between the two sides. A sign of inspiration to thousands of people who look to their leaders to make their dreams come true.

Our politicians must be busy now, writing out congratulatory notes to the new leader. However what they must be doing, is to look at President Obama and Senator McCain and understand from their behaviour today, how a leader must behave.

To respect the accomplishments of people and appreciate them.

To give an assurance to the people that they will do the best they can, while at the same time inviting positive and constructive criticism.

To have a smiling face when you are the loser, rather than vandalising property and looting the town.

It has been famously remarked -

"The trust of the people in the leaders reflects the confidence of the leaders in the people."

Let our leaders never forget,

"To be a good leader, you have to have something in your character to
cause people to follow you"..

So, dear politicians, please give us something to respect you for....