November 4th -2008

More than five years in America...and I never felt proud to be here. It was always at the back of my mind, that I have left my home country and family back to be lured by the glamor, life of America. And that guilt always surfaced at times, times when you see those patriotic movies, times when you hear about your countrymen dying of blasts, and you feel like a coward having migrated here.

But tonight for the first time in more than five years, I feel to be proud in America. And not because it still is the best country on earth, and not because it still remains the superpower whose fortune affects countries worldwide...no. Its because it proved today what I always felt was the best part of this country, its conscientious.

Conscientious...a heavy word. Yes, we know that life is about happiness, success, wealth, being famous etc ... but nobody talks about this word. It means someone who operates from their conscience, and will strive to be just. People who are aware of their responsibilities.

I have often told my near and dear ones, that for a person like me to survive in India would have been very difficult. Not that things aren't great back home, but Indians on a collective level are not conscientious. We will take bribe, we will lie, cheat, manipulate....do anything in our capacity to succeed. Have you ever seen the top bosses in any Indian sector. Favoritism is the major major factor for success in India, and hard work and intelligence is secondary. A country more racist than anywhere else. A south Indian will be discriminated in Delhi, Biharis will be beaten up in Maharashtra. We will mix water in milk, we will sell fake Chinese electronics with branded names. Some army people can come and take away your reserved seats in train compartment. Indians are definitely more compassionate, hardworking and intelligent, and have strong culture, but they aren't conscientious. We don't do WHAT IS RIGHT. I know a lot of friends will term me non patriotic for sprouting this, but they know in their heart this is the truth. And believe me, I am very very ill equipped to handle that kind of situation.

And that's where America scores. Trust is the foundation of this country. In all possibility, people would not lie to you. Mostly, you can leave your apartment unlocked for the day, and once you purchase a item, be assured that it wont be fake. Once you buy a property, you don't need to worry that someone will make fake papers and snatch it from you. If you are hardworking and intelligent, in all probability you will get your due, and no, you never dare to bribe a policeman here once you are caught speeding. And chances are almost nill that your uncle`s friend will be able to get you a job in a company if you don't have the merits at all. And I respect this country for this sense of being right.

And today this fact was cemented. Obama became the first African American president in the history of United States. For the last few months I have been following elections closely over the net, and I went through a lot of articles where Obama`s color,his origin and Muslim middle name was being criticized vehemently by Whites. But when it came to the collective conscience of America, they did what was right for America..Obama it is. History was made when America rose above all petty issues about color, ethnicity etc and voted for someone they truly believed was right for USA.

And even if Obama is not able to fulfill some of the promises he has made, this election itself would bring back a lot of credibility back for America in the eyes of the world. Its time for change. And it has begun. Lets be part of new America, and in consequence, new world. And remember this date, for it will always be a part of the general knowledge quiz for the coming generations!