Inauguration of the 44th US President - Barack H. Obama

Pausing occasionally for applause and cheers, Mr. Obama finished his speech by drawing on the words of George Washington, the first president:

“So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have travelled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people: “Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it].

America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.”

Standing outside Capitol Hall, tens of thousands of people gathered in the chilling cold which dragged the temperature to -10 degrees Celsius, all in hope of witnessing history.

“Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.

So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land - a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met.”

Inspiring words. Emotional moving. I wasn’t born in the times of Lincoln or Reagan, but now standing witness to the youngest American president I can finally understand how one person can unite a country and build a bond that can achieve the impossible. Looking at the sea of people cheering him on, a certain sweetness of victory consumes me. Deep down, I do believe in Obama that he can stands for something like true democracy and freedom. I do believe that he can and will make a difference.

Well, maybe he has it easy. Things cannot be worse than they are, I hope, so they can only go uphill from here on. Question is how long it will take before recovery gets into play. For the government, there is little time to waste.

Obama has another quality that sets him above others. I always believed that problems are not fatal, lack of courage to face the challenges and problems is. Obama overcame adversity, attempted the unthinking, pursued his dreams and passions. His will power, character strength and courage makes him an extraordinary individual.

Take a bow, my friend. You deserve to be the hope of the people, the new president of the United States.