Barack Obama oath-taking ceremony: A friend took oath

People cried cheered Barack Obama but ignored Bush after the ceremony says Surat Singh the Delhi lawyer buddy of US president Barack ObamaSurat Singh the beer buddy of US President Barack Obama blogs for MiD DAY about the historic inauguration ceremony from Washington1015 am US time I am at the Capitol Building and am feeling on top of the world being one of the important guests who will see the US and the world entering the Barack Obama era I am going to be seated among the top 150 VVIP guests including presidents prime ministers American senators and heads of different world organisations My seat is in the Green section which is reserved for dignitaries and senior American journalistsCommon guests will fill the Yellow and Orange seats Right now I am standing near the US Congress Library and next to me is the House of Representatives Chopper and fighter jets are patrolling the skies 1018 am I am entering the venue from Gate No 2 and am very near to the Capitol Building where Barack Obama will take the oath It is about 100 metres awayu00a0u00a0 u00a01020 am It very cold but millions have gathered to cheer their leader braving the chilling temperature1022 am I am at Gate No 2 and seven people are standing in front of me for security clearance As the formalities go on this is what the security personnel ask me u00a01025 am Singh to security personnel I am college friend of Barack Obama He was with me at the Harvard Law School Security person Oh thats great From which country Singh From IndiaSecurity person Your visa and passportSingh Please have itSecurity person Ok Indian visa valid till 2010 Passport ok Thanks siru00a01030 am I am at the Rayburn House now from where I will witness the ceremony I can see the crowd dancing despite the cold u00a01033 am Music is on and the crowd is dancing 1120 am The usher is announcing Now I present Presidentelect Barack Obama As Barack Obama makes his first appearance the crowd goes berserk shouting Obama Obama Obama Many people around me are cryingEspecially AfricanAmericans and coloured Americans are very emotional Many elderly AfricanAmericans are crying People are excited No person has been left untouched Everybody is excited in one way or the otherCameras are clicking In fact I have never clicked so many photographs of one personEven Rev Joseph E Lowery of Atlanta who is reciting the prayer before Barack Obama takes oath is crying As he says a dream has been realised today he has tears in his eyes Around 1130 am Barack Obama is taking oath The Chief justice is administering the oath on Lincolns Bible As I watch him I feel as if a friend has become the American President A friend is taking the oath More than that it is the joy that a good man has taken charge of such an important position But Barack Obama looks strangely subdued May be a little solemn just like the groom who is about to get married and suddenly realises the weight of his responsibilities He doesnt look as excited as we had expected him to be Even his speech is not as emotional as people were expecting it to be But as Barack Obama speaks I realise that we too should do something for India As he says We have to do this for America I say to myself that we also have to do it for India Its a public responsibility Barack Obama is saying The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small but whether it works whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage care they can afford a retirement that is dignifiedu00a0those of us who manage the publics knowledge will be held to account to spend wisely reform bad habits and do our business in the light of day because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government I feel we Indians too should say thisBarack Obama is speaking about fighting terrorism As he says Terrorists cant diminish our spirit people cheer loudlyRight now I feel I should quit my legal practice and join public service Barack Obama is very generous and thanks outgoing President George W Bush at the beginning of his speechu00a0Ironically just after the speech is over the same crowd that had braved the cold wind to listen to Barack Obama rushes out without even waiting for George Bush to leave It is very cold and taxis are not available so I suppose the people just want to leave quickly