Call it a premature infatuation or the fallings of an overwhelmed world citizen, but the more I listen to Barack Obama the more I admire him and the more I would want to listen to him. He may be taking a tough stand against outsourcing, but I still admire him for the values that he stands for. Though I did not have the fortune to listen to such numerous videos of Mahatma Gandhi, whenever I listen to Obama, I see a clear reflection of Gandhi's thoughts and values. So here goes the list.
1. World Peace
1. World Peace
Obama talks of re-opening American consulates that have been shut, re-enter into a dialogue with all the enemy nations and launching a strong diplomacy to ensure that America contributes positively to the world peace. And if Gandhi can be summarised in any way, it would be world peace.
2. Equity
Fighting for the poor, at times he echoes the Indian Left. His speeches clearly indicate that he wants to achieve a sort of equity between the haves and the have nots. And this is not just about money. Its about Education, Healthcare and more. He wants to achieve a parity between the rich and the poor. Mahatma had always insisted that India lies in its villages and number one priority of us all Indians should be to uplift the poor.
Fighting for the poor, at times he echoes the Indian Left. His speeches clearly indicate that he wants to achieve a sort of equity between the haves and the have nots. And this is not just about money. Its about Education, Healthcare and more. He wants to achieve a parity between the rich and the poor. Mahatma had always insisted that India lies in its villages and number one priority of us all Indians should be to uplift the poor.
3. Swadeshi ( Economic Independence)
India may not like this stuff, but Obama is all set to restore the virtues of an economically independent nation. Fifty years ago, Gandhi stressed the same thing and epitomised it by weaving his own clothes. Obama is not a globalisation-hater. But he is all set to restore the economic self-respect of America.
4. Unity
Obama is a UNIFYING entity. He brings the whites and the blacks together. This unity is not just a rhetoric, but a sincere attempt. While Gandhi stressed on unity to fight away the British, Obama is doing it to bring a divided nation together for its own survival and identity.
5. Non-Violence
Obama clearly stands for non-violence. His campaign has not only sought to end violence in Iraq but also within the country. Infact Gandhi can be singularly marked for adhering to the principles of non-violence.
One may say that he only talks, but his talks are an indication of change that he wants to bring about. Infact all the leaders had to talk their way up before putting into practice what they talked about. As I listen more to him, the more I am convinced that he is embracing Indian values in the areas of education, economy and religion.
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