American Dream Lives-Obama Is President

Bringing in the change he sought, democrat Barack Obama has been elected the 44th President of the United States, according to CNN, winning 338 electoral votes so far compared with 160 votes for his rival John McCain, CNN reports. Obama needed a minimum of 270 electoral votes to claim victory.

Barack Obama told supporters that "change has come to America," as he addressed the country for the first time as the president-elect.

"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America -- I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you -- we as a people will get there," Obama said in his victory speech in Chicago.

Police estimated that 125,000 people gathered in Grant Park to hear Obama claim victory, CNN reports.

Obama said he was looking forward to working with McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin "to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead."

McCain, conceding defeat, urged all Americans to join him in congratulating Obama on his projected victory in the presidential election.

"I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face," McCain said before his supporters in Phoenix, CNN reports.

The Obama campaign worked hard to win gritty industrial states of Ohio and Pennsylvania and powered the Latino vote in the West.

The junior senator from Illinois has done what John Kerry could not do in 2004.

This election has been historic on many levels. An Obama victory is the end of the streak of white men running the U.S. This was also the first election that prominently featured women as contenders for the White House -- first Sen. Hillary Clinton (D., N.Y.) in a hard-fought Democratic primary and Palin (R., Alaska) on the McCain ticket.

This victory sends a message to America and the world. The American Dream is alive and well. A mix raced man can overcome a challenging childhood and a humble economic background to become the leader of the free world. The world was pulling for this to happen, to renew hope in the American Dream.

(Internet Inputs)

Sound Bytes: Leaders Hail Obama Victory

Barack Obama's extraordinary victory to the White House met with applause from world leaders, they hailed the victory as ‘historical and inspiring,’ in congratulatory statements to Obama, who relentlessly campaigned for the change America needed, to overcome republican John McCain.

Following are statements issued by the leaders:

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

"Your extraordinary journey to the White House will inspire people not only in your country but also around the world."

Grigory Karasin, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister

"The news we are receiving on the results of the American presidential election shows that everyone has the right to hope for a freshening of U.S. approaches to all the most complex issues, including foreign policy and therefore relations with the Russian Federation as well."

Hoshiyar Zbari, Iraqi Foreign Minister

"I think you will hear a lot of discussion and goals and slogans during the election campaigns. When there is a reality check I think any U.S. president has to look very hard at the facts on the ground."

Tzipi Livni, Israeli Foreign Minister

"Israel expects the close strategic cooperation with the new administration, president and Congress will continue along with the continued strengthening of the special and unshakeable special relationship between the two countries."

Taro Aso, Japanese Prime Minister

"The Japan-U.S. alliance is key to Japanese diplomacy and it is the foundation for peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. With President-elect Obama, I will strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance further and work towards resolving global issues such as the world economy, terror and the environment."

Yousuf Raza Gilani, Paksitani Prime Minister

"Your election marks a new chapter in the remarkable history of the United States. For long, the ideas of democracy, liberty and freedom espoused by the United States has been a source of inspiration...I hope that under your dynamic leadership, the United States will continue to be a source of global peace and new ideas for humanity."

Jan Peter Balkenende, Dutch Prime Minister

"The necessity for cooperation between Europe and the United States is bigger than ever. Only by close transatlantic cooperation can we face the world's challenges."

Nicolas Sarkozy, French Prime Minister

"With the world in turmoil and doubt, the American people, faithful to the values that have always defined America's identity, have expressed with force their faith in progress and the future. At a time when we must face huge challenges together, your election has raised enormous hope in France, in Europe and beyond."

Hamid Karzai, Afghan President

"I applaud the American people for their great decision and I hope that this new administration in the United States of America, and the fact of the massive show of concern for human beings and lack of interest in race and colour while electing the president, will go a long way in bringing the same values to the rest of world sooner or later."
Gordon Brown, British Prime Minister

"Barack Obama ran an inspirational campaign, energising politics with his progressive values and his vision for the future. I know Barack Obama and we share many values. We both have determination to show that government can act to help people fairly through these difficult times facing the global economy."

Mwai Kibaki, Kenyan President

"We the Kenyan people are immensely proud of your Kenyan roots. Your victory is not only an inspiration to millions of people all over the world, but it has special resonance with us here in Kenya."

Jose Manuel Barroso, European Commission President

"We need to change the current crisis into a new opportunity. We need a new deal for a new world. I sincerely hope that with the leadership of President Obama, the United States of America will join forces with Europe to drive this new deal. For the benefit of our societies, for the benefit of the world."

Hu Jintao, Chinese President

"The Chinese Government and I myself have always attached great importance to China-U.S. relations. In the new historic era, I look forward to working together with you to continuously strengthen dialogue and exchanges between our two countries."

Angela Merkel, German Chancellor

"I offer you my heartfelt congratulations on your historic victory in the presidential election.

"The world faces significant challenges at the start of your term. I am convinced that Europe and the United States will work closely and in a spirit of mutual trust together to confront new dangers and risks and will seize the opportunities presented by our global world."


Kgalema Motlanthe, South African President

"Africa, which today stands proud of your achievements, can only but look forward to a fruitful working relationship with you both at a bilateral and multilateral levels in our endeavour to create a better world for all who live in it."

Stephen Harpe, Canadian Prime Minister

"I look forward to meeting with the President-elect so that we can continue to strengthen the special bond that exists between Canada and the United States."

Kevin Rudd, Australian Prime Minister

"Senator Obama's message of hope is not just for America's future, it is also a message of hope for the world as well. A world which is now in many respects fearful for its future."

Helen Clark, New Zealand Prime Minister

"Senator Obama will be taking office at a critical juncture. There are many pressing challenges facing the international community, including the global financial crisis and global warming. We look forward to working closely with President-elect Obama and his team to address these challenges."

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Indonesian President

Indonesia especially hopes that the U.S., under new leadership, will stand in the front and take real action to overcome the global financial crisis, especially since the crisis was triggered by the financial conditions in the U.S."

Gloria Macapagal, Philippine President

"We welcome his triumph in the same vein that we place the integrity of the US electoral process and the choices made by the American people in high regard. We likewise note the making of history with the election of Senator Obama as the first African-American president of the United States."

Mohamed Mahdi Akef, Leader of Muslim Brotherhood

"We congratulate (Obama) on the confidence of the American people in him and we hope that he will change the policy of the United States towards the Middle East and towards the crimes which are happening in Afghanistan and Somalia, in other words that he adopts a just policy that restores to America its natural position of respect for humankind and democracy."

Rev, Federico Lombardi, Pope Benedict’s Spokesman

"Believers are praying that God will enlighten him and help him in his great responsibility, which is enormous because of the global importance of the United States...We hope Obama can fulfil the expectations and hopes that many have in him."

Ali Al Sadig, Sudanese Foreign Ministry Spokesman

"We don't expect any change through our previous experience with the Democrats ... When it comes to foreign policy there is no difference between the Republicans and the Democrats."

Ali Agha Mohammadi, Key Aide to Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei

"The president-elect has promised changes in policies. There is a capacity for the improvement of ties between America and Iran if Obama pursues his campaign promises, including not confronting other countries as Bush did in Iraq and Afghanistan, and also concentrating on America's state matters and removing the American people's concerns."

Saeb Erekat, Aide to Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas

"We hope the president-elect in the United States will stay the course and would continue the U.S. engagement in the peace process without delay. We hope the two-state vision would be transferred from a vision to a realistic track immediately."

Pro-Nano Activists Attack Trinamool Supporters in Singur

On a rampage, scores of Nano Bachao Committee (Save Nano Committee) members on Sunday attacked and damaged vehicles carrying Mamata Bannerjee’s supporters, on the Durgapur Expressway, as they were going to attend a Trinamool Congress in Singur, a party official said.

The rioting mobs are reported to have damaged the red beacon car of Opposition Trinamool Congress leader Partha Chattopadhyay and also stopped the vehicle of other senior party leaders, including Mukul Roy and Madan Mitra, near Ratanpur area enroute to the rally site.

"Our vehicles were attacked by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M)-backed hooligans who were agitating under the banner of the Nano Bachao Committee. We declared our programme to hold a public meeting at Singur last week and got all required permissions from the district administration," said Trinamool Congress general secretary Mukul Roy.

He alleged that the vehicle belonging to Chattopadhyay was totally damaged in the attack.

He alleged that the policemen deployed in the area remained mute spectators to the vandalism of the activists.

According to police officials, the Save Nano Committee activists blocked the Durgapur Expressway at several points, holding placards that read "Go Back Mamata Banerjee".

The firebrand Banerjee had earlier declared plans to launch a fresh agitation by holding a public meeting in Singur on November 2, to press for the return of acquired land to its original owners.

(Update)

Violent clashes erupted between Trinamool Congress workers and Pro Nano activists in the evening on Sunday.

15 people were reportedly injured in violence that saw Trinamool activists thrashing Save Nano activists to avenge for the violence indulged I by them at the Durgapur Exressway in the morning.

Rahul Raj Shot at Close Range, Says Autopsy

Hollowing claims made by the Congress-NCP Maharashtra state government, in the aftermath of the ‘encounter’ of Rahul Raj, the autopsy conducted by a four-member panel of forensic experts at Mumbai’s JJ Hospital on Thursday confirmed that he was shot from very close range.

The panel of doctors which conducted the post mortem on Raj revealed that there were five bullet entry wounds on his body, all in the chest and head region. However, there were only four exit wounds as one bullet was recovered from the body.

The experts also confirmed that at least 12-13 rounds of bullets were fired by the Mumbai Police team in a bid to end the BEST bus hijack drama.

The autopsy report has not been made official and the panel of doctors will shortly submit it to the government.

The findings of the post-mortem could complicate things for the Maharashtra government and Mumbai Police, which is already under scanner for allegedly killing the 23-year-old youth from Bihar.

The finding is also expected to give credence to the allegations levelled by the Bihar government and Rahul Raj’s parents that Mumbai Police could have easily captured him, and there was no need to kill him.

The Police brass in the state had earlier supported the stand taken by the cops and warned that anybody trying to take law in his hands would also meet the same result.

Rahul Raj was killed by Mumbai Police when he tried to take a BEST bus hostage on gun point in order to send a strong message to MNS Chief Raj Thackeray for his party’s treatment to the North Indians.

The incident draw sharp reactions Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, who alleged that it was wrong to shoot down Raj could and he could have been caught alive.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also spoke to the Maharashtra CM, Vilas Rao Deshmukh, and asked him to insure the safety of all sections so that incidents like this are not repeated in the future.

Rites of Passage: Young King Crowned in Bhutan

In an early morning ceremony in Thimpu, King Jigme Singe Wangchuk acceded his eldest son, 28 year old oxford educated, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck to the Royal throne of Bhutan Thursday, following the coronation Wangchuk became the world's youngest reigning monarch.

He heads the newest democracy in the world after he adorned Bhutan's Raven Crown at an ornate coronation ceremony here.

The ceremony took place at the Golden Throne Room at Tashichhodzong, amid the chanting of Buddhist Shlokas and the bass of ceremonial gongs.

Watched by the four queen mothers Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck and Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck, the young bachelor king looked calm.

Jigme Khesar is the eldest son of the former Bhutanese king and his third wife Ashi Tshering Yangdon. He has a younger sister and brother as well as four half-sisters and three half-brothers by his father's other three wives.

The ornate ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries including Indian President Pratibha Patil and Congress president Sonia Gandhi, and Bhutan Prime Minister Jigmi Y. Thinley. Ambassadors of 23 countries witnessed to the historic rite of passage.

Chanting of hymns followed traditional ritual offerings to the new king in the form of eight auspicious articles - mirror, medicine, curd, incense, fruit, right-whorled conch shell, vermillion and yellow mustard.

Then followed another round of offerings - seven precious symbols signifying devotion, valor and eternity, besides eight auspicious signs symbolising truth and wisdom.

The traditional ceremony with Buddhist rituals would be followed by felicitations in the afternoon by more than 20,000 people at Tendrel Thang, the ceremonial ground in Thimphu.

The capital of the Himalayan nation, Thimpu was a riot of colour as men and women in traditional gear lined up to catch a glimpse of the young monarch.

The country has planned three-day celebrations to mark the occasion.

The Wangchuk dynasty is loved by the people they rule as they mingle with commoners and even walk down city and village streets.

"The greatest gift that I can ask for is this... being with you...my people," the new king was quoted as saying by the local media earlier this week.

The young King’s powers will be significantly watered down compared to the absolute power his father enjoyed.

In keeping with the changes sweeping the region, held its first parliamentary elections in March making a historic shift from 100-year-old monarchy to democracy.

"This coronation is significant as it marks the end of an era (the former king's rule) and the beginning of a new chapter in Bhutan's history as the people has great hope and confidence on the new king," Thinley, Bhutan's first democratically elected prime minister, said after the coronation ceremony.

The king remains the head of state, but parliament would have the power to impeach him by a two-thirds vote.

Senior Army Official Arrested by ATS

Mumbai Police Wednesday arrested a serving Lieutenant Colonel for allegedly supplying money and explosives for the September 29 Malegaon bombing that left at least five dead. This is the first time that a serving army officer has been held on terror charges.

ATS sleuths grilled Purohit after his name cropped up in interrogations of two retired army personnel arrested for alleged role in the blasts.

The Maharashtra ATS placed Lt Col Srikant Purohit under arrest after questioning.

Purohit was produced before a Nashik court where he was remanded to 10 days of police custody. The court allowed the police to subject him to narco-analysis and other scientific examinations.

Chief Judicial Magistrate K D Boche allowed the ATS to conduct polygraph, brain-mapping and narco analysis of Purohit and remanded him to police custody till November 15.

Purohit has been accused of transferring of huge amounts through ‘hawala’ to Ajay Rahirkar who is already in ATS custody.

He also sent SMS to ex-army officer Ramesh Shivji Upadhyay, also in ATS custody, after the September 29 Malegaon blast case was cracked by ATS saying “that we are on ATS radar,” Public Prosecutor Ajay Misar told the court.

Misar said the Malegaon blast is a sensitive case in which six persons died and many were injured. Even the forensic report revealed that explosives, including RDX, were found and it was necessary to get 14-days police custody of Purohit for interrogation.

He said Purohit conducted several meetings of ‘Abhinav Bharat’, a saffron group, in Madhya Pradesh, New Delhi, Gujarat. Purohit had also attended meetings in Pune, Kashmir, Mirzapur and Bhonsala Military School at Nashik where some of the accused were also present, Misar said.

Kandhamal Tense: VHP Leader Shot Dead

Tension prevailed in riot-hit Kandhamal district of the Orissa on Wednesday following the killing of a Vishwa Hindu Parishad worker by suspected Maoists. The motorcycle borne attackers sprayed 18 rounds at the VHP worker Dhanurjay Pradhani (36) at Kumbharigaon village around 1300 hors (IST).

Pradhani, a small-time contractor, was inspecting the construction of a school building at the time.

Maoists, who are active in Brahmanigaon and adjoining Tumudibandha, had recently put up banners threatening to eliminate Pradhani and several other local leaders of the Sangh Parivar.

District Superintendent of Police Praveen Kumar reached Kumbharigaon with additional forces. One company of the Central Reserve Police Force also reached the area.

Meanwhile Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Raphael Cheenath told reporters here that the Catholic nun, who was raped at K. Nuagaon during the communal violence on August 25, was willing to cooperate with the Orissa police.

Uma Slap Triggers Exodus in BJS

Uma Bharati’s whack across the face of a party worker and political protocols has triggered off, one of the largest exodus from a political party in recent times. miffed over the incident at least 350 party workers and activists are reported to have quit the Bharatiya Jan Shakti.

Incensed over a trivial matter, Bharati slapped Chhindwara district general secretary of her party, Anil Rai, in front of the media.

Minutes later, visuals of the incident were put into the public domain, through satellite networks.

Bharati later addressed a press conference with Rai, she claimed that they were like brother and sister and she had the right to "love him or hit him".

According to media reports Uma also sent a written apology to Rai, who is believed to be close to BJS's breakaway faction led by Prahlad Patel.

Hours later Rai resigned from the party, nearly 350 BJS workers followed suit.

Those that resigned include BJS Chhindwara district president, Nemi Chand Verma, Sanjay Konar, Kishor Munjare and Om Kumari.

With the poll campaign gathering momentum, the incident will not easily be pushed out of public memory and is bound to hurt BJS chances in its first serious electoral outing.

Sadhvi Pragya to Move NHRC

Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, in custody for alleged involvement in the September 29 Malegaon bomb blast, will soon move the National Human Rights Commission complaining of violation of fundamental rights, her lawyer said on Thursday. The bombing killed at least five people.

"We will be definitely filing application before the NHRC," her lawyer Ganesh Sovani was quoted as saying by the PTI..

"But we have yet to get the necessary documents," he said.

According to Pragya's lawyers, she was arrested by Anti-Terrorist Squad of Maharashtra, not on October 23 but much earlier.

Pragya's sister Pratibha Jha visited ATS office in Mumbai on Thursday but was not allowed to meet her for the second consecutive day.

Orissa Doctors Tender Mass Resignations

Lashing out at the government for not giving in to demands, 2,470 doctors in Orissa tendered their resignations. The resignations came in wake of the dismissal of three doctors on negligence charges. The doctors say they would bring medical services to a standstill if their demands wee not met by November 8.

The up-in-arms medicos demand cadre restructuring and security at workplace. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had assured the Assembly on March 17 that the demands would soon be met, allege the doctors.

“The State Government ignored the Orissa High Court order and despite assurance by the Chief Minister on October 8, the dismissal was done on the reports of Human Rights Commission,’ Orissa Medical Services Association (OMSA) president was quoted as saying in several reports appearing on the internet.

Questioning the dismissal, doctors, cite a Supreme Court observation which says a doctor’s technical abilities can only be judged by a team of highly qualified and experienced doctors, term the decision ‘politically motivated and vindictive.’

Unleashing excruciating pressures on the state government, medicos seem determined to back their threats with action, a situation that would seriously affect relief and rehabilitation process in Kandhamal district and those ravaged by the recent floods.