Mr. George. W. Bush, predecessor of Barack Obama, was elected for two terms.

It was for the first time in the history of the embattled American nation that the assumption of office by a new President has been hailed by all sections of the society, especially by those who are of Afro-American and India American origin.

It is significant that 47 year old Barack Obama is the son of a black Kenyan economics student and a white mother, who was an anthropologist from Kansas. Mr. Obama accompanied by his spouse Michelle Obama and two daughters arrived in Washington DC after a day long symbolic train journey retracing the path taken by his role model Abraham Lincoln; the nation’s 1st President, for his inaugural way back in 1861. On his way from Philadelphia, where the fight for freedom began, Lincoln issued a call for a New Declaration of Independence.

Vice president Joseph R Biden and his wife joined him on the vintage rail car in his hometown; Washington.

The American people have a lot of expectations from President Obama as their economy has been adversely affected by the recession due to the lack of foresightedness on the part of the bankers, financiers and other stake holders. He has rightly said that America faces a crossroads, that it is a nation at war, with an economy in turmoil and with an American Dream that feels like it is slipping away. Now, the question is whether he will be able to meet the high expectations after his dramatic victory in the race for the coveted seat in the White House.

It is obvious that president Obama has taken the helm of the ship during a very tumultuous storm. The economic problem, millions of job seekers, the war on terrorism, the problems posed by rogue countries and also the war in Iraq and Afghanistan are a few of the problems that have been handed down to him by the previous Bush administration. President Obama is right when he says that the problems that he is inheriting from his predecessor may be new but what is required to overcome these is the same perseverance and idealism that the founders of the nation had displayed. These have not become outdated and are relevant even today. These problems may not be solved quickly and President Obama is aware that there may be setbacks, frustrations and disappointments. Resolving to act with fierce urgency to deal with the challenges, he reminded the nation that his election to the august office is not the end to the changes that the nation proposes. There will be a continuous process to affect changes in the administration, policies and programmes in the interest of the 3000 million plus living in the United States. He is committed to the reconstruction of a new America, one that will listen to all voices and which spares nothing to keep itself safe while addressing terrorist forces directly. “We will not apologise for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defence against those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents”. This is indeed a laudable pledge to the world.