The essentials Roti, Kapda Aur Makan Come First

President Obama, the essentials come first. And they are Roti, Kapda Aur Makan.
Having said that, now lets get to the meat of it.

As the democrats and particularly the President recover, regroup and re-strategize from the devastating (but a great eye opener, we all hope) loss in the MA senate race, there is wide speculation as to what the president should do. Questions linger, what is the message of the voters, what should be the priority of the administration?

The answers to such questions remain uncertain and will only emerge over the course of weeks and months. However, we do know that the administartion has been completely wrapped up in getting the healthcare reform bill passed. The President has often said that healthcare reform lies at the root of our economical and other crises and fixing healthcare (first) will solve a lot many things.

I am no expert in these matters but perhaps it behooves well of the administration to consider and ponder on a well known adage that there are certain essentials that we humans care more deeply about when it comes to daily existence. And those are Roti, Kapka aur makan (there is even a classic Bollywood movie with that title)- translating from hindi, that is Food, Clothes and Shelter. And unfortunately, they can be very dependent. For instance, without a job all three are seriously in jeopardy. And to think of it, it was the crises in the housing market that created this meltdown. So out of homes, and out of jobs, millions of Americans worry about their basic survival, not healthcare.

Healthcare is something people can worry about after the above three are met. And that is what the administration needs to remember. With unemployment at 10.5%, people need jobs,first, not health insurance. In fact if we get them jobs, a lot many will get insurance. Second people need a place to live (and have the security and comfort of home). So the housing mess should have been close to fixing if not on way to being fixed. However, the administration, led by Geithner and Summers have come up with no concrete plan - every week there are speeches, there is speculation, but nothing much done.

Its the fundamentals - unless we fix these three things, any talk of fixing healthcare or getting our troops back and fixing the climate, will be too much to ask for the common man. When basic survival is in question, you fix the acute issue. And this is basic advice that any ER triage nurse would also be able to give - you dont worry about controlling Mr. Browns diabetes when he has a fractured rib.

So the priority should be getting people back on the track. Give them a clear plan on how they can get a job soon. Next come up with a plan that can help them negotiate something with the banks to keep their homes or get some grace period in which they are not asked to pay their mortgage till they get back on their feet.

People want to feel they are back in the game. But America will be back in the game only if we remember that Roti, Kapda aur Makan come first.

Kudos to Daniel Bowman Simon , Casey Gustowarow and the WHO FARM Project

While volunteering for the Obama Campaign during the NH primaries i met Daniel Simon. Infact, we drove along with some others from the city to NH. Daniel was eager to meet Obama and talk to him about growing a a vegetable garden in the white house lawn or on the white house roof! And he actually did get to meet obama and in that few moments blurb sthng to him with Obama giving a nod

Then last fall Daniel got together with his friend Casey to start the White House Organic Farm Project with the goal of going across the country and getting people to sign a petition urging the next president to grow vegetables in the white house lawns. And they went driving in a topsy-turvy bus (see above) across 25 states and getting 10,000 signatures.

And today the Obamas announced that they are growing to start a White House Vegetable Garden. Awesome. What an achievement for Daniel and Casey. Congrats Guys and Congrats to many others who have pushed the president to do this. The president growing vegetables locally could have a symbolic effect, raising awareness about eating locally grown and fresh foods.

The power of an idea combined with belief and persistence can yield anything!

Witnessing the Obama Inauguration and the Majesty of Democracy

I feel fortunate and privileged to be one of the 2 million plus people who witnessed the inauguration of Barack Obama. And in the process i saw the "majesty of democracy and the making of history" (as heard on cnn).

Much is already being said and many can say it better, but no words and no amount of TV can capture the actual experience. Purely momentous, electric, humbling, inspiring, packed and bone-freezingly cold, but a lifetime experience.

My plan (as usual last minute) was simple. Get to DC by Midnight Jan 20th, spend sometime in the Adams Morgan area where city revelers have been celebrating since jan 18th. And then as the DC metro starts service at 4 am, get to the national mall (the almost 2 mile strip open to every one) and hope to get as front as possible (4th street) for the non-ticketed users. And so it was.

I got there by 5. Standing outside at 4am at the Adams Morgan metro station, i got a feeling that we were looking to a record-breaking crowd for the inauguration and perhaps hundred thousand were already at the mall. People had lined up outside the station even at that time to get in. And it was by the time i got to the mall, thousands were already there. And the crowds just kept coming and coming.

The Capitol at 5 am


They streamed in. The crowds came from afar. From Hawaii, from the deep south, from New York, from all the corners of America. Of all types and ages. Little kids (in groups, camped out). Really old people, trudging with their walking steps; looking frail in body, but mighty in spirit and determination. People with skull caps bearing obamas name. Some draped themselves in blankets woven with his image.



And we all stood there, braving (infact, for most of the time, oblivious and even nonchalant) of the biting cold. The only thing that mattered was being there to be part of something special, to see the dawn of a new era in American history. To see and to draw inspiration and to relive in their memories, the day America set to claim the unfulfilled and regain its lost dreams. To see the formidable barrier of race fall, in the inauguration of the first African-American President of the USA. The 44th President. And one with the amazing potential, of limitless ambitions, tremendous intellect, endless equipoise and untainted integrity.

The Scene at 6.30am


And we roared when he entered the stage. And roared louder when he came to take the Oath. And were ecstatic when he spoke. Some wept. Many who couldnt fully see the jumbotrons, were contented with just staring with hope. Everyone chanted the famous "Obama, Obama" chant. The kids screamed too, and perched on their parents shoulders. Thousands waved flags. And all booeed (when the ex-prez was being referred to ). Some fainted. But none, lost their claim in time and space witnessing this momentous occasion. And, i with my fingers frozen (and the cell networks irregularly connecting), kept twittering.

And then came the inaugural speech (will blog details on this soon). A speech punctuated with resounding applauses and pin drop silence listening to every word as it wafted in obama's grand voice and echoed in the air. A speech drawing inspiration and lessons from the past and setting the direction for the years and decades of work needed to renew and redefine the greatness of America. A speech that extends the hand of help to other nations and inclusive of all religions.

What a speech, What a day! And what an Audience. A sea of people stretching from the capitol building down to the Washington monument. And along with all this, were displays of the American Ingenuity, enterprise and sense of humor, that makes all this tick. An old man was selling "an official certification of attendance". Another man was selling a t-shirt on the pavement near Pennsylvania Avenue.

And this t-shirt summed it all for me as it said, in a cool blue font, "I came, i saw and i froze. But i would not have missed it for the world."



What a year it was been since i first heard Obama and volunteered for his campaign in the new Hampshire Primary in Jan 2008. A year ending in a promised fulfilled and a potential now being set to realization

The Obama Tsunami will sweep the country tonite!

Its finally here. In just a few hours we will begin to get results for one of the most important election in the history of the US. And though its been anticipated for some days now, i think today we will finally see the full force of the "Obama Tsunami" sweeping over the usually blue and many of the red states. As he has so famously said, "There is no blue america and a red america. There is the United States of America." The hour has come when this could finally be realized.

I predict that obama will win the presidency by a margin of at-least 75 votes. And i am not saying so because every poll shows that Obama has a lead and is a clear favorite to win. I am saying this because i have felt this since that cold winter day in January 2008 when i was campaigning for obama on the weekend of the New Hampshire primary. At that time hearing him and witnessing first hand the grassroots organization of the campaign, i just felt it in my gut that this was just the tip of the iceberg. And since then the gains have been bigger, the support more overwhelming and tonite will be the culmination of the wave that has been sweeping america and driving an epidemic of hope and change.

Obama has brought the idealism, the romanticism and the aspiration back to politics. Nobody is perfect and we wont ever live in a perfect world but at-least we are making a course correction and getting the country to aspire and work towards a better America. There are many reasons why i support obama (i need to finish that blog ) and have campaigned for him even though i cant vote. But in the end, the reasons, why he will win this election are more basic and fundamental. He will win because he has shown that there can still be a certain dignity, decency, rightousness, fairness and inclusiveness in politics.

Yes there are arguments against his relative lack of experience and many other such points but in the end what the majority of America is voting for is the core principles that define a leader - character, judgement and integrity. We have all seen in the past 8 years how the lack of such traits (and the abundance of arrogance) in our leaders has resulted in such a colossal mess.

And yes, just like winning the primary was just a tip in the iceberg, going forward winning the presidency will just be the tip in the iceberg of what is to come. I feel we are witnessing the start of possiblly the best administration to govern this country in a very, very long time. Yes, i am hopeful, just as i was on that cold day in New Hampshire (a primary that obama lost) and i know 4 years from now that hope will be reality.

Yes we can. And yes we have done so. Made America a better country today. And proved that we all can see the shining star in the darkness of the night.

Time to celebrate!

Live Blogging the Palin-Biden Verbal Bout

Its on! It finally ON and UP!. Palin and Biden on stage. Woohhooo. The popcorn is out! The coke zero can is fizzing and the debate is on.
And we are watching is live on a big screen on streaming video

Palin seems serious and looks like she has done some reading today ! All in black !
She is even quoting numbers - barack voted 96% of the time on partisan vote, $42,000 middle class income. Throwing "informed" words and punches

Biden is smooth. He denies the charges. And says McCain voted for tax cuts 400+ times. Voted the same way as obama on a bill

Moderator: Do you want to counter
Palin: She deflects the main pt. Goes to talking about he tax incentives..... Blah Blah Blah. She is cut out by the moderator . Time up
Palin is visibly upset - she sulks and i am sure she is not happy to be stopped in the middle !

Mod: Explain the tax cut proposal

Palin: Says that taxes for ppl with incomes above $250k will effect small businesses - this will destroy jobs. Says she and palin are middle class - is hammering her small girl and middle class background. Calls Obamas healthcare plan universal and that americans will not like their healthcare to be run by their federal govt.


Biden: Sorry there are not millions of small business owners - less than 95% of the small business owners earn less than $250k so the tax wont effect them
Responds to the healthcare - that the McCain plan is the utlimate bridge to nowhere because the $5000 healthcare credit will actually be through tax proposals

Laughs ........

Moving on ...
Palin is going on making general statements - referring to her Main Street background ....
Biden is being specific, smooth and articulate.


She is saying that "east coast" politicians are not allowing us to produce oil in alaska. And that instead of sending money abroad why not create the jobs here.

On climate change, she says alaska is effected most by "mans activities" . She ignores talking about the "CAUSES". Conserving fuel, controlling our hydro carbons ... we have to do "all the above"

Biden: this is a fundamental difference between us and the McCain campaign - directly refutes Palin by saying how can you solve if you dont know the causes (stupid) ! McCain has voted 20 times against clean energy..... WOW

Biden wants to create new clean indsutry jobs, and export the technology. And not just drill , drill , drill...

Mod: Explain your positions

Palin : the song is "Drill Baby Drill " We are building a $40billion pipeline - the largest." Now directly confronts biden by saying he himself has said that "there is no clean coal" .. Biden explains it was of context.

Moderator (not doing a good job - she is moving out to new topics very quickly not allowing a real DEBATE) . Whats your opinion about marriage

Biden: is pro-gay and lesbian but not exactly supporting the civil union.

Palin - tries to be generic and portray she is diverse and tolerant and that her friends dont agree with her. She wont prohibit interactions.

Mod: Be direct - do you support gay marriage

Biden: not civil union - it has to be left to be decided

Palin: i dont support too

Mod: Whats your opinion on the iraq war

Palin: brings up McCain as the warrior. Says she will "hang on" in iraq - we are not safe yet and that barack opposed the surge

Biden: We need a plan - a strict plan and since iraqis have a a surplus let them take over.
Makes a solid statement - we need to end the war. We need to get ou and McCain has no plans to end in the near future or ever!

Palin: Sorry, sorry. "That is a White Flag of Surrender". You are changing positions !

Biden: This time he seems perturbed - he says McCain opposed the funding for some funds for the war for protection. Says he "loves McCain but he has been dead wrong"

Talk moves to Pakistan and Iran.

Biden: Both are dangerous - al qaeda can come from there in pakistan. None of these guys can pronounce pakistan or iran or iraq or even madrasas . Says he

Palin: Says both are dangerous. Says central pt of terrorism is in iraq. Goes after iran - cant be allowed to be acquired nuclear weapons. Repeats what McCain said about Ahmedjinad. She seems to have learnt some names - castro etc - and again brings about the point that iran is dangerous

Moderator: So no diplomacy as suggested by Kissinger

Palin: Trying to be strong and forceful - making a useless pt about barack sitting down for negotiations.

Biden: This is plain wrong. Defends barack's decision for meeting with these leaders. Says allies are saying talk, 5 secretary of states said "sit down" and talk. Biden brings up bush - saying he did a "sti down" down with iran after 5 yrs. Says McCain wont even sit down with "The President of Spain" - he is incredulous.

The moderator sucks - a great point to have a real debate - she is just moving on to other questions

Palin: I promise you we will work with our friends in isreal.

Biden: getting a bit personal - says i would not have joined the ticket if i wasn't sure about Obamas support for Isreal. I support them full. Says so many times we advised about Hezbollah's activities but Bush didnt do anything.

The moderator really really sucks .... she is passive and doesn't know how to PROBE

Palin : picking on bush ... says many blunders .. but that happens always. Trying to be populist - country comes first - repeating "maverick" and that "change is coming"

Biden: Not impressed - says McCain policy = Bush policy. On Pakistan, On Afghanistan, On Iran - its all the same. We will change

Palin: Trying to sound informed - repeating Iran's presidents name. Also says obama's comment - we are "doing reckless killing" . Says no we are fighting terrorism and we will make a change

Biden: Says , making this clear . Full stop - saying we cant do a surge in afghanistan like in iraq. Says "three weeks in iraq = 6 yrs of afghanistan " in terms of spending.

This debate is Getting non exciting - its more like a Commentary - the MODERATOR is BAD

Biden: is acting very much like a statesman. Clear, Informed and Articulate. Palin is holding up but being very general, repetitive..
Biden is really strong on his facts and understanding.

Palin: Tyring to win some points by accepting "i am not a washington person and do straight talk". Hmm - she knows about Darfur (atleast the name) ... Ok, suddenly moves to Alaska fund.

Biden: Getting more energized. Now linking McCain to Cheney .... about Darfur

Palin: says she disagrees. Talking about pundits "who said what". Again talks about McCain and his war days... come on - say sthng about your opinions and experience.

Moderator - doesnt know how to rebuttal

Biden: Brings up the bush doctrine .... says the past administration has screwed up... this is the most important election after 1932.

Palin: Says "we are a team of mavericks" - he did she wink as she said that word. Keeps bringing up that point. Every day "working class americans", "govt get out of my way" - ends with the same old republican rant on "democrats raise taxes"

Biden: responds .... says come with me and talk to the average Joe and you will see that you will know that the middle class has been given the stick and that corporate america was unduly awarded

Palin: dont go back on the bush times - says look forward. tries to equal with biden by saing that her grandmom was also a teacher (biden's wife is a teacher) .

Moderator: Okay, Okay ... every one gets "Extra Credit tonite " - bad joke

Palin - trying to lighten things up - that she has tried to crack some lame jokes. Talking about the VEEP power and roles. "Going to go with ya ! "

Biden: About the role of VEEP - says barack asked me to "get things done" given my track record and says barack will makes decisions and will include my advise. Says "we can disagree" and that he wants me to play a very "constructive role"

Finally the statement of the night - biden get the points

Says "Cheney has been the most dangerous vice-president of all times" . Says VEEP only has the vote as a power within the legislative side.

Palin: bringing up "beacon of light" - Todd comes up again - firing up a bit and goes into a long harangue!

Biden: Says my weakness is my passion - i have been in office 35yrs ... people need help- ounds emotional ....

Palin: McCain - there goes maverick again (more than a dozen times) -- says gets too ranty and mis-speaks - "We want McCain to leave .... ooops - she wants him to LEAD."

Biden: responds to this (finally - more like a debate) - is genuinely not impressed - says - SORRY McCain is not a real maverick when it comes to middle class.

Okay - the final question ..... ...

Nothing exceptional from biden on the ending note....
Palin is wearing an american flag lapel - pretty big ... such a show mommy. for the american people.

Moderator : how do you change the tone on partisan ship

Biden: i have worked on controversial things. Makes a strong case says " I dont question peoples motivation, i may question their judgement"

Palin : "I have hired people from both sides and that there is a greater good" - Says ppl should vote for our ticket that creates jobs, creates infrastructure and energy dependence... Same old rant

Palin's closing remark - "brings the media" and says "says she is going to fight for america for middle class, we are blessed, we will fight " Again quotes, reagan "Freedom is a generation away from extinction : - Dont believe this - she has fully memorized his quote ... what a put on

Biden: "we have been dug into a deep hole" - we need a fundamental change in our policy and approach. " We dont think about progress through taxes etc - move on to bigger and more important things ... Its about dignity and respect and opportunity - we want to make a country that allows one to dream and believe that you can work hard and do it. "Champ if you are knocked out, get up and fight. May god bless us all"

That was the end - a very vanilla debate - more a debate. There goes palin - with her shrill voice finally - some how she kept it down. brings her dad and mom up on stage !!!

The most anticipated VEEP debate in history - quite a bland one - no car wrecks and no living up to negative sides.

The excitement of a big historic night at Columbia. Both McCain and Obama Come to Campus

Once in a while big things happen on the university campus (where i have studied and now work for 5 yrs) that makes one realize the perks of being at Columbia University. In the last 5 yrs, i have seen many top international leaders come and talk to the students here, such as vladimir putin, the former Indian prime minister Vajpayee, billionaires like Mark Cuban, Nobel Prize Winners like Amartya Sen. And then one was there during the highly exciting and controversial speech of the the iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 07.

Tonight was among the bigger nights. The excitement hadd been building on for days. The university had to do a lottery to select the lucky few hundred students who would actually watch the event live. The university servers went down because they couldnt handle the traffic - so many students were refreshing the pages so as to be the lucky one to get the lottery.
The occassion merited it -Both McCain and Obama to speak at the university about the importance of national service on the occassion of 9/11. And though i was not eligible for the lottery (not a student technically but a staff member) , i was as excited as the others.

So with some friends, i landed up at 6.30 in the open plaza in the main columbia campus next to the beautiful Low Library where possibly 2-3,000 students has gathered to be experience this event (I have heard obama speak in person before the new Hampshire Primary and he is awesome). The place was teeming with people. See pics below

Scene at 6.30 pm



Scene 15 minutes later


The Scene by 7pm - more and more packed !!



By 7.30 pm the area had gotten packed - every inch of the library steps was taken up and the surrounding grass patches were occupied. And what a night for a historic event - clear skies, the high rising moon and the freshest of fall breeze. And the strong scent and vibe of the idealism and optimism of youth. Needless to say, barring a handful, every one was an Obama supporter.



Barring the techincal glitches (yeah the broadcast signal sucked and was down regularly. we all were not inside the main auditorium - just outside watching the whole thing on giant screens. but the experience was probably better). The event was fun. Plenty of boos for the obviously boring McCain statements (well he has won some points for this bold move of selecting Sarah Palin, but thats about it).

The loudest of cheers were for obama's inspiring words. But the loudest of loudest cheers were reserved for moments when Obama mentioned Columbia, specially when he remembered the his own days at the university. Toby maguire did get his share of applause and so did Gov. Paterson and other speakers.

A fantastic night. And one that reinforced that the current dip in poll votes for obama are just a temporary dip - after the palin fever subsides, it will be difficult for McCain to match Obama's shimmering persona, inspirational ability and well thought and fresh perspectives.

Yes we can! Yes we will.