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A new era of peace and order

H. K. Dua’s front-page editorial, “Obama overcomes barriers of time and cultures" (Nov 6) was timely. Obama’s historic victory in the US presidential election provides a ray of hope not only for the US economy but to the entire comity of nations. The global economy is in shambles in the aftermath of the economic meltdown resulting from the collapse of the premier financial institutions on the Wall Street a couple of months back.

Obama’s dynamic and charismatic personality having semblance to that of the great Nelson Mandela has all the potential to steer the world out of the present global economic crisis. His victory is also vindication of the fact that merit alone decides the fate of the candidates seeking election to the coveted post of the US President. Racial and other prejudices have no place for the aspirants for the White House.

I very much appreciate the US democracy! This victory should serve as an eye-opener for all the nations that believe in democratic values. Obama has truly transcended barriers of colour, creed and culture to become America’s first Black President.

ASHWINI KUMAR LAL, New Delhi

II

The sweeping and dramatic victory of Barack Obama, the youthful African-American, as the 44th US President shows the change in the American psyche and society.

It proves that everything is possible in the US. Though it was a Herculean task, the dream of equality has been achieved. Outright rejection of the Republicans proves that the accident of birth or colour of the skin is never an impediment. Americans have trusted Obama, his ability to lead them at this time with new ideas and self-assurance.

Indeed, Obama has inherited a huge pile of problems. He has to pull out the nation from the economic crisis and recession. With enormous goodwill that Obama has evoked at home and abroad, he should usher in a new era of relations with other countries and peace and stability in the troubled regions. Mr Dua has aptly concluded thus: “the test of a leader comes at a time of crisis, not when the going is good”.

Dr L. K. MANUJA, Nahan (HP)

III

Barack Obama has made history. President Bush is responsible for the sorry state of affairs in the US today. Its economy is at its lowest ebb. Obama will have to work hard for cleaning up the mess.

Mr Dua has rightly pointed out that Obama will have to try how to pull the US out of the economic crisis that has hit the country badly and the loss of prestige in the Iraq war. The war on Iraq has pushed the US into a very awkward situation and the opinion was divided over this.

SUBASH C. TANEJA, Rohtak

IV

One would, certainly, share the view that Barack Obama’s victory has heralded a new era in the American pysche and society in the face of the sufferings which could only be understood by generations of those who have gone through it over 200 years. True, history was made on Tuesday night when the US decisively elected its first Black President and turned the page on an ugly past of racial prejudice and opening a chapter of hope and change. As promised by the President-elect Obama, in his first press conference, he would prove his worth.

Significantly, Americans, specially the younger generation, wants a change to get rid of the Bush regime which wrought havoc in the US. On the whole, Obama highlighted Bush’s follies in the campaign and won the election.

SUNDER SINGH GIANI, Dialpora (Mohali)

V

Mr Dua’s front-page editorial is a befitting tribute to the first African-American President of the US. Admittedly, with his decisive victory, Obama has marked “America’s date with history”. We have to understand that his victory came in the face of the sufferings undergone by generations due to the accident of birth and colour of skin for a long time.

It is a fact that the majority of Whites bought shoulder to shoulder with African-American compatriots to make Obama US President. His victory gives Indians a big cause to celebrate.

Prof P.K. GUPTA, Bathinda

Weed out corrupt judges In his article, “Selecting Judges: Independence of judiciary must be protected” (Oct 27), V. Eshwar Anand has emphasised the need to select honest and meritorious persons as judges. Every citizen has high expectations from the judges who, in turn, should deliver fair and prompt justice. Over three crore cases are pending today. A major reason is corruption in the subordinate judiciary. According to a survey by International Transparency Global Corruption Barrometer-2005, 97 per cent people admitted this stark reality. The slow pace of justice has shaken the citizens’ faith in the judiciary. I endorse Chief Justice of India Justice K.G. Balakrishanan’s call for weeding out incompetent judges. S.K. KHOSLA, Chandigarh