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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 000137 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NP, AC, PM 
 
STATE FOR INR/MR 
 
STATE FOR SCA/INS, PM/CBM, PM/PRO 
 
STATE FOR SCA/PPD, PA/RRU 
 
STATE FOR AID/APRE-A 
 
USDOC FOR 4530/IEP/ANESA/OSA FOR BILL MURPHY 
 
E.O. 12958:N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: OBAMA INAUGURATION; NEW DELHI. 
 
This countrywide cable reports on relevant media 
reaction/opinion from India's large non-English press. 
The Mission reports on English-language media via email 
through the daily "Early Edition" summary. 
 
------------------ 
OBAMA INAUGURATION 
------------------ 
 
¶1. "DREAM AND REALITY," editorial in 21 Jan centrist 
NAVBHARAT TIMES Hindi daily: "Despite its openness, 
American society is very conservative when it comes to 
gender and racial equality. When you see how difficult it 
is for women and non-whites to make it big, then you know 
the significance of Barak Obama's victory. It is no mean 
achievement for a non-White to become President of the 
U.S., nothing short of a big revolution. Obama's entire 
election campaign was full of symbolism, right up to his 
swearing in where he swore on the same bible that Abraham 
Lincoln had used. But after the bonhomie and the euphoria 
has passed will come the hard decisions. Will Obama live 
up to them? The Obama administration's focus is shifting 
from Iraq to Afghanistan. This is worrisome for India, 
because that will make Pakistan an important player in 
the game." 
 
¶2. "HOPE AND CHALLENGE AT THEIR PEAK," editorial in 
January 21 centrist DAINIK BHASKAR Hindi daily: "Obama 
has played beautifully on the theme on hope. Right from 
the day he jumped into the election fray, to the days he 
campaigned on the streets to the final inauguration day - 
- the persistent theme was hope. He had the audacity of 
hope, and he coined the phrase "yes we can." All these 
proved to be a hit with the American electorate. With the 
bleak economic and political scenario, the Americans 
badly needed hope -- and there was Obama offering it. But 
now that he has ignited hopes the tough part is 
fulfilling the promises and realizing those hopes. That's 
Obama's challenge!" 
 
¶3. "OBAMA'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS," editorial in the January 
22 CPI (M) Organ GANASHAKTI Bengali daily, Kolkata. 
"Obama did not specifically spell out any policy or stand 
to be adopted by his Administration. This is the first 
time that an African-American has become President. So, a 
tremendous emotion was generated among the American 
people, and especially among the Blacks. They thought 
that Obama might announce something that would give a new 
direction. But Obama's speech failed to meet those 
expectations. With Bush's departure, people thought that 
the nightmare was over. But what would happen to Bush's 
legacy? The new President did not mention that. Still 
some of his remarks are quite significant. This is the 
good thing about his address." 
 
¶4. "HIGH EXPECTATIONS WILL BE A LITMUS TEST FOR OBAMA" 
editorial in the January 22, 2009 centrist Gujarati daily 
GUJARATMITRA.  "...no other president, barring J.F.K., in 
the United States history has created such an excitement 
all across the globe.  The principal reason behind this 
is that the world super power has elected its first non- 
white as head of state, fulfilling the much cherished 
 
NEW DELHI 00000137  002 OF 003 
 
 
dream of Martin Luther King.  Now that Obama has assumed 
office, he is faced by a storm of sky-rocketing 
expectations not just within America but also from the 
global community.  While economic recession at home 
warrants his immediate attention, international issues 
like withdrawing U.S. forces from Iraq, reworking U.S. 
strategy in Afghanistan and counter-terrorism efforts 
will also keep him on his toes.  At this point in time, 
we only wish that Obama succeeds in meeting the soaring 
expectations." 
 
¶5. "AMERICA:  WILL ITS OUTLOOK, PSYCHOLOGY CHANGE?" 
editorial in the January 22, 2009 Mumbai-based right-of- 
center Gujarati daily MUMBAI SAMACHAR.  "During his 
inaugural speech, President Barack Obama said that 
America will work as a responsible nation. This was to 
convey that the reins of power will be handed over to the 
people of Iraq.  It is worth welcoming this statement 
considering America's image, that has taken a severe 
beating during George Bush's presidency for his flawed 
foreign policy decisions.  However, Obama has fallen 
short of enunciating his government's policy to put an 
end to terrorism, which is the principal burning issue in 
today's time.  Besides, there is also this issue of 
climate change wherein America will have to play a lead 
role.  The pertinent question here is: will Obama be able 
to stand up to the pressure of those conservative 
officials in the White House to bring about a change in 
their psychology and outlook?" 
 
¶6. "BEGINNING OF THE OBAMA AGE" editorial in the January 
22, 2009, Mumbai edition of right-of-center Marathi daily 
SAMANA.  "The next four years will certainly be very 
trying for the 44th U.S. president, Barack Obama. While he 
may not have the solutions for all of the odds stacked 
against his presidency, he can certainly ensure that 
existing crises do not deepen...." 
 
¶7. "WE ARE THE CHANGE' editorial in the January 22, 2009, 
Mumbai edition of centrist Marathi daily LOKMAT.  "Obama 
struck the right note in his speech after his swearing 
in. He could inspire Americans to trust his optimism. His 
statements on the war against terrorism also seemed 
reasonable. Without sounding antagonistic, he conveyed 
the right message to the terrorist outfits. He extended a 
hand of friendship towards the Islamic nations, and also 
took cognizance of the existing tensions in the Middle 
East..." 
 
¶8. "THE NEW RAY OF HOPE" editorial in the January 22, 
2009, Mumbai edition of left-of-center Marathi daily 
MAHARASHTRA TIMES.  "There are a few too many 
expectations from the new president of America, but 
hopefully Obama is aware of the multiple challenges. He 
has therefore appealed to the American public for `change 
from within.' His speech mentions restraint and economic 
discipline. Now the point is whether the American people 
are ready for that discipline..." 
 
¶9. "HARD TIMES AHEAD," editorial in the January 22 
independent Kolkata Bengali daily ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA. 
"Obama's inaugural address clearly points out that the 
 
NEW DELHI 00000137  003 OF 003 
 
 
moment of celebrating history and emotional outpouring is 
over. Now, it is time for plunging into work. Obama is 
fortunate as well as unfortunate. He faces hard times 
ahead. He will have to become worthy of the future. He 
must keep it in mind that the entire world not only 
welcomes him but also watches him. The world is pinning 
its hopes and aspirations on him. Obama will not be able 
to relax for a moment if he wants to fulfill even a 
fragment of huge expectations from him." 
 
¶10. "INDICATION OF CHANGE IN WORLD POLITICS" editorial in 
January 22 Guwahati Assamese left-of-center ASAMIYA 
PRATIDIN.  "...Barack Obama has brought with him a new hope 
while the world is struggling to overcome serious 
challenges such as economic meltdown, terrorism, racism, 
civil wars and, global warming. Obama may not be able to 
make notable changes in America's established policies as 
he will be more engaged in tackling current domestic 
financial problems to fulfill peoples' expectation. 
Obama's ascent from a humble background to the highest 
office of the world's most powerful nation itself has 
paved the way for change, and the white Americans have 
extended their full support to Obama to usher in that 
change." 
 
¶11. "Priorities of Obama," editorial in January 22, 2009, 
independent Kannada daily VIJAYA KARNATAKA (circ: 
700,000): "...President Obama has to strike a balance in 
the relationship with India and Pakistan. India is an 
emerging economic superpower and it can not be ignored by 
the U.S. any more. At the same time, the U.S. needs 
Pakistan to root out the Taliban from Afghanistan." 
WHITE