Coronation Party

Once upon a time, kings or queens were sworn in with a great deal of pomp and ceremony. In that sense, US president-elect Barack Obama's inauguration on January 20 will hark back to those times. But while the monarchy conducted a carefully orchestrated show designed to awe commoners into obedience, Obama's swearing in has the mood of a party, with millions of people descending upon Washington to celebrate the new American president. Obama's inaugural committee has succeeded in making the ceremony one of the most anticipated political events in years, with everything from local inauguration parties to rock concerts with some of music's biggest names enjoying wall-to-wall media coverage both in America and around the world.

Obama's meticulously planned inauguration celebration displays, yet again, the man's media savvy. Channelling Abraham Lincoln, Obama kicked off his three-state 'whistle-stop tour' on Saturday in Philadelphia, mirroring Lincoln's 1861 journey by train to Washington. He set off a four-day inaugural celebration of unprecedented ambition. The celebration, beginning with the trip and culminating in the official balls after the swearing in, is aimed at allowing as many people as possible to participate in it. What is remarkable is the number of people who are expected to brave the inhospitable Washington weather to stand in long queues and listen to their president. There'll be even more people watching from the comfort of their homes on television or on the internet.

Indian politicians could learn from Obama. When an Indian prime minister takes office, the ceremony is so mired in bureaucracy that the most overwhelming emotion is that of boredom. Inaugurations may be largely symbolic, but they do serve a purpose. A well-managed inauguration establishes the credibility of the government to lead its people, while ensuring that people believe they have a stake in the government. Obama and his team understand this. They have made certain the inauguration is as inclusive as possible, in keeping with a campaign driven by grass-roots support.

As an exercise to win goodwill, Obama's celebration party will probably be a success. The Indian establishment would do well to take a page out of Obama's book and understand the importance of communication, not just through sweeping speeches but also via symbolic gestures that reach out to people and make them feel part of a great nation.

Source - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Editorial/EDIT_Coronation_Party/articleshow/3997524.cms