Welcome Obama

While at least two million Americans gathered on Tuesday at the National Mall in Washington DC to witness the country's first black president take oath of office; billions of people from around the globe stayed glued to their television sets to watch and listen to him speak.

It was a speech for the times… a time when people the world over are fed up of arrogance and the indignities of war – whether it was fought against terror or for oil – and are seriously looking to welcome a new style of “inclusive'' US leadership. Some political pundits have criticised Barack Obama's inaugural speech “for not showing the magic of his famed rhetoric''. They wanted phraseology to remember down the ages, like the famous Kennedy quote “Ask not what your country can do for you…..'' And I am glad Obama did not oblige.

In the euphoria of the inauguration, let's not forget the ignominy of the last eight years and the current deep recession. In the spirit of the times, it was necessary for Obama to say “Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin again the work of remaking America.''

It was cool, real and reassuring that while he spoke to the American people he was inclusive, not exclusive; cohesive, not divisive: “… we are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus and non-believers… That as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering a new era of peace.''

He further extended that inclusive hand to the rest of the world; to the Muslim world, the rich world, the poor world and to the suffering world.

Watching him all Tuesday evening in Dubai, I must say that Obama stayed down to earth throughout and although the freshness of his presidency may have prompted me to be kind to the new man in a new job that he has never been in before, I must say it is his down-to-earth humility that impressed me the most.

No boasts from him on how he would make history. No promises on how he would especially look after African–Americans. No threats to those who might not see eye to eye with him on issues… His speech had a hard edge. It was about the work to be done… it was about accepting the fact that his administration will make mistakes and that he may not be able to resolve all of America's problems in one term.

Sure, he'll falter; the expectations of him are sky-high and he and his team may not have all the answers… but the intention is solidly good and whatever he might do, he will take responsibility and stay accountable. Welcome Mr President. We wish you all success.