Indian-Americans, who overwhelmingly supported Barack Obama in the run-up to his presidency, say that his ascent to the top post has energised the community and given them hope that someone from them too could enter the White House one day.
"He has set the bar high for everyone. No one can complain any more that opportunities are being denied to them because of their colour, race, religion or ethnicity," Ashok Mago, chairman of the US India Forum, said.
"Obama's inauguration means a new day in America especially for Indian-Americans, now any Indian-American can truly dream of occupying the highest office in the land or the most powerful position in the world whether their name is Bob, Bobby or Baljit," Sanjay Puri, chairman of the US India Political Action Committee, said.
While there is no available figure for the number of Indian-Americans who have come to Washington to participate in the inaugural ceremonies, community leaders say they easily be in several thousands.
"This is a momentous occasion. Even if there is so much difficulties, never mind... it is an occasion to celebrate. I want to be a witness to this historic event," said Naresh Singh, who drove for several hours from North Carolina for the event.
Puri said Obama has truly energised the country which needs to come together to solve the big problems facing the US and the rest of the world.
"He has also shown that elections can be won from the ground up. It was his grassroots campaign that really got him to win starting from his win in Iowa. This shows that if you have a good message and a good messenger, people will support you no matter what," said Puri.
Observing that Obama will get a little longer honeymoon period than other presidents have received, Mago said: "He is intelligent, has the presidential temperament, calm, no vendettas and does not panic."
Through Obama's stimulus package he is getting an opportunity for unbelievable expansion of government programmes which democrats love and reasonable tax cuts which Republicans support. He has created a sense of optimism among people, the challenge is to maintain it. For the sake of the country everyone wants him to succeed, Mago said.
Referring that his young children are there to participate in this historic event, Mago said: "It gives them encouragement to set higher goals and succeed in achieving them."
