ABOUT 7,500 miles away from electoral Ground Zero United States, Barack Hussein Obama bulldozed John Sidney McCain in the battle for young Indians' hearts on Monday.

The black Democrat got 82.7 per cent of the 821 votes gathered in a mock poll held by MiD DAY across Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Pune, with Republican McCain picking up the leftovers with 17.3 per cent, mainly from call centre executives angered by Obama's stance against outsourcing.

Votes tumbled in from SMS, online and physical polls held through the day. MiD DAY visited young hangouts like malls, infotech parks and multiplexes with ballot boxes and poll papers.

McCain did slightly better in Delhi and Pune, while in Mumbai and Bangalore he was pulverised. Almost all those polled were in the 18-35 age group, and their reasons for choosing Obama ranged from solid to starry-eyed.

"He's very cute, I like him a lot," said 22-year-old Hansika K, a marketing professional in Noida on Delhi's outskirts.

Marketing executive Sujatha Shetty from Mumbai had a different rationale. "I've heard Obama worships Lord Hanuman, keeps a picture of Mahatma Gandhi around as inspiration and has a soft corner for the country. India will really benefit if he comes to power."

Pune marketing executive Somnath Waghmare, speaking to MiD DAY at the Gold Big Cinema, also spoke about Obama's Indian connections.

"If he becomes President, it will augur well for India. McCain will not be in the interest of our economy," he said.

The cool quotient of the US elections was palpable. Youngsters were delighted to be able to vote, even if it did not really count.

"Oh wow, this is fantastic! I get to vote for my favourite candidate right from here. This is such a cool idea," said Rani V, an MBA student, at the Central Mall, Bangalore.

Bangalore Action

- In Bangalore, of 116 votes. 93 went to Obama and 13 to McCain.
- The first place we visited was Bangalore Central, where shoppers were more than happy to vote.
- Garuda Mall was our next destination, but not many showed enthusiasm. "How does it matter? I have no interest in politics," said Vishwas, who works for a BPO.
- At the ad agency O&M, Shoma said. "This is a fantastic thing. It raises awareness among people here." Kavitha voted for Barrack Obama because he was young.


Barack is 44th American President

Democrat Barack Obama has become the first African American President. Obama has clinched 338 electoral votes while his Republican rival John McCain lagged way behind with 155 votes, till the last reports came in.  A candidate has to manage a minimum of 270 electoral votes to emerge the winner.

Barack Hussein Obama is the 44th President of the United States.