“Greatness is never a given, it must be earned,” said Barack Obama, the President of the United States of America, when he clinched the topmost position of that country.

Until three years ago, none of us had even inkling about Obama, who would turn out to be an influential and well-recognised person in the world. He came from a family of modest means, but worked his way up despite all odds to become President of the US, which is counted as a superpower.

It was not a smooth sailing journey for him and yet he proved that determination and perseverance could help one achieve just anything. An African-American, Obama did not grow up in the best conditions — he was neither rich nor did he belong to an influential family. His only assets were his strong education background and the vision of changing America for the better.

Whenever I hear or read his speeches, I find them extremely inspiring. His messages have a positive note, which motivates people to never give up and surge ahead with an “I can and I will” attitude despite all odds.

Even when he is talking about critical issues haunting America, he always sounds hopeful, and not fearful, of dealing with them.

What I like about him the best is that he is the face of equality in a country, which has treated blacks with disdain.

He represents the average American and that is why so many people relate to him. He is compassionate and has a very charming, down-to-earth personality.

His public speeches are stirring, peppered with courage and conviction. He possesses every quality a leader must have, for which he is my role model.

Titikshya Mohanty

Class - XII

DAV Public School (Pokhariput)

Bhubaneswar