Date:06/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/06/stories/2008110653110300.htm

New Delhi

Jubilation in New Delhi

Staff Reporter

An excited crowd followed the final moments of US election

- Photo: R. V. Moorthy

All smiles: Cheerful children posing with a life-size cut-out of US President-elect Barack Obama at the American Center in New Delhi on Wednesday.

NEW DELHI: There were scenes of jubilation and merriment at American Center here on Wednesday with a large number of Barack Obama fans erupting with joy as the Democrat candidate became the first African-American to be elected President of the United States.

An excited crowd followed the final moments up to the announcement of the election result that was telecast live on giant plasma screens. Colourful balloons in red, blue and white added to the festive spirit of the occasion.

Each time Mr. Obama’s win was projected in a state, a loud cheer went up. The Center had also put up three mock voting booths where people could vote for their favourite candidate. Obama emerged triumphant here too. People sat up in rapt attention to listen to Mr. Obama’s victory speech.

A large number of them along with U.S. Embassy officials and children from the Capital’s schools and colleges had begun gathering from 8 a.m.

Many of them hugged each other with delight as the news of the 47-year-old Democratic hero’s victory was flashed by TV channels.

School children present at the venue to attend English-speaking courses organised by American Center also joined in the celebrations along with college students of History and Political Science.

Some of the students were accompanied by their teachers who explained the importance of the election result to the students.

Many Obama fans were also spotted posing excitedly alongside a life-size cut-out of the leader soon after the news of his victory broke out.

There were cut-outs of Joe Biden, John McCain and Sarah Palin as well.

Many people hailed Mr. Obama’s election as a vote for racial equality and hoped that his becoming President would herald a new era.

The American Center, which organises a programme every fourth year to celebrate the election of a new President, acknowledged that the response this time round was “overwhelming”.