Plenty of concessions, reservations and freebies aimed at the emancipation of the poor and the down trodden will serve a limited purpose but if you expect these people to scale great heights you need an inspiring person like Barack Obama. He is humble, humorous, sincere and above all serious when he is in the midst of ordinary people who need a helping hand. He won’t say, “I have set apart a huge amount for your welfare” or “I will see that you people get some good jobs after your studies”. Rather, he would say, “no excuses, no excuses”. Of course, he has got an ‘amen corner back there’ to inspire him, but he is focused on what he expects them to do. He wants the less fortunate kids to come out of their shells and hitch their wagons to the stars, “I want them aspiring to be scientists, engineers and doctors and not just batters and rappers…” “I want them aspiring to be president of USA.”

It was a challenge…..a friendly challenge and not a soft and sympathetic speech which would receive a round of applause but nothing much to write home about.

Oh, I forgot to mention an important fact. The venue was New York, Hilton. The occasion was the hundredth anniversary of NAACP and the protagonist was, of course, Mr. Obama.