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 Obama

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 Obama

Surat Singh, the beer buddy of US President Barack Obama, blogs for MiD DAY about the historic inauguration ceremony from Washington

10.15 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 journalists.

Common 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.

10.18 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 away.u00a0u00a0
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10.20 am: It very cold but millions have gathered to cheer their leader braving the chilling temperature

10.22 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)
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10.25 am: Singh to security personnel: I am college friend of Barack Obama. He was with me at the Harvard Law School.

Security person: 'Oh that's great. From which country?'

Singh: From India

Security person: 'Your visa and passport?'

Singh: Please have it

Security person: 'Ok. Indian visa valid till 2010. Passport ok. Thanks, sir'
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10.30 am: I am at the Rayburn House now from where I will witness the ceremony. I can see the crowd dancing despite the cold
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10.33 am: Music is on and the crowd is dancing

11.20 am: The usher is announcing, 'Now I present President-elect Barack Obama." As Barack Obama makes his first appearance, the crowd goes berserk, shouting 'Oba-ma, Oba-ma, Oba-ma.' Many people around me are crying.

Especially African-Americans and coloured Americans are very emotional. Many elderly African-Americans are crying. People are excited. No person has been left untouched. Everybody is excited in one way or the other.
Cameras are clicking. In fact, I have never clicked so many photographs of one person.

Even 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) 11.30 am: Barack Obama is taking oath. The Chief justice is administering the oath on Lincoln's 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 doesn't 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. It's 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 dignified.u00a0those of us who manage the public's 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 this.

Barack Obama is speaking about fighting terrorism. As he says, 'Terrorists can't diminish our spirit,' people cheer loudly.

Right 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 speech.
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Ironically, 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.