Citizen Bytes

Hello little big man,

I congratulate your efforts and hope your dreams come true.

But I am not sure that will happen. Long before the election, I predicted that Obama’s victory (CBC post). But he is not a superman and cannot fix all the problems. America is ransacked by the white-collar American thieves. I don’t think America can ever recover from it.

Briton, France, USSR… all worked hard to reach the ‘mighty’ power status and then the following generation lost them slowly – kind of natural enemy within. I think America’s peak of the might was in the past, around 2000. The people in the other regions like China and India have been working harder to get their long lost power again.

Sorry about my pessimistic response. I will be happy to be wrong here though.

hey sounds like a good little socialist , should maybe relocate there and stand in line for the democratic handouts.

Dear Arjun:
Thank you so much for coming to Virginia to campaign for Barack Obama. I live in Virginia but I am Canadian. I became an American this year and I was able to vote for Barack Obama. What a thrill this was my first election when I could vote. Thank you for ensuring this day would come with your efforts. You have an extraordinary family. I hope I can raise my two little kids to be as brave and inspiring as you.
Happy Inauguration Day!
Carla

Arjun,
What a wonderful example you are for young and old alike.
You didn't sit and complain about wanting change. You worked hard and donated much to make it happen.
If more adults and kids were like you and your family, I think that Canadians could do great things at home and in the world.
Keep up the good work.
Liz

The world expects of Obama to fix everything either in US or Africa. But look at the world and how he is avoiding the problems already. Instead of getting involved and fixing, he is telling you have to wait till .... But by when he gets his real chance and power, he has to do what some expected of him not all.

This was not written by a nine year old. I have raised children and have seen what they and their peers have written at nine years of age. This is not an example of nine year old writing. Somebody is substituting their ideas or coaching or at LEAST editing this "nine year old"'s submissions.

To those who would dismiss, Arjun, don't. I have seen exceptional writing and thinking done by those whom we would typically consider too young and I celebrate Arjun's thoughts, words, and deeds. What a stellar start to a young life!

My comment to Arjun would simply be this. I'm proud of you. The rest, I think you've got in hand.

Hi Arjun,
I am really impressed by your words and your intension to be the part of changing world. I am also from India and I am really proud of you! You set an example for the young India. I think every kid should read your article and belive that words can change anything. Can I get your contact information? So that I can email you in person. Hats of to you. Continue with your good work.

This really was written by a nine year old? Really? If it was then that would make me the Queen of England.

It is really sad wehn adults feel threatened by the actions & words of a gifted child. Clearly Arjun & his 2 brothers are thoughtful, caring & motivated children who want to contribute to the betterment of their world. Whether they are naive in their hope for a better world under new leadership or not, they do remind us that the young can be engaged & can be a part of the solution if they are taken serioiusly, are encouraged, and are given the chance to achieve. Their parents should be very proud that they have brought up such insightful children.

To those that doubt the authenticity of these words, I say to you that you are blinded by your own petty lives. You have clearly not been given the opportunity to achieve as children & as adults. You live lives where you must tear down & belittle those who actually dare to make a difference. I have children os very similar ages & I can tell you that my children would ne & are capable of similar words & deeds. Infact in their own ways & for thier own interests, they have achived & composed equally eloquent words. All good parents help theri children with their homework, their projects & their speeches. That does not reduce the ligitmacy of that childs work nor does it detract from that childs achievements.

Get over your cynacism!

Good luch with your life, Arjun. You will make a great contribtuion to our world. You have inspired me & many others with your words.

Hey Arjun,
First, I want to congratulate you in your awesome piece about Mr. Obama. However, I must say that your enthusiasm with the new President-elect is much different than mine - but I must commend you for your passions and ability to captivate me to finish your piece.

You definitely have a gift to woo the crowd! It would be amazing to hear you speak one day, and perhaps you'll be the "Obama" of Canada - the sort of politician we need in this country. As I said before, I'm not the biggest fan of Obama, but he's sure heck of a lot better than our current politicians in Ottawa!

Don't ever lose HOPE and remain strong to your convictions. It is difficult times right now, and we need a "miracle" to unite this country. In your capacity, whether you will be canvassing in Canada, passing out buttons, being a spokesperson, persuading your friends or actually running for office... keep the passion! Always!

As for the critics on this page... I wouldn't worry about them. Normally, a good sport would accept criticism with grace, however in this case with this forum, these guys are worth not caring about. No matter how old you are, there's always a need for proof reading. I'm in graduate school right now, and I rely on my professors to make adjustments.

Anyway, buddy... well done! When you become Prime Minister of this country, remember and consider me for a seat in the Senate. ;)

Indeed, “Hope Has Arrived”!

Hope arrived for Arjun Pandey in the form of Barack Obama and after reading Arjun’s inspirational journey from speech writing to campaign trail, Hope arrived for me too. The interest and efforts demonstrated by Arjun and his brothers makes me feel like there is a better tomorrow; the future is bright because these three young boys will be part of it.

Thank you so much for your gift of Hope Arjun.

PS: To the Pandey family – you are remarkable people to raise three boys with so much encouragement and involvement!

I really believe that these are the words of Arjun. I too was capable of similar works when I was of that age. Dont we pride our selves in Canada of having one of the best school systems, if you apply yourself?

This is a well thought out letter and my hat is off to you Arjun! Dont let your courage, hope, eloquence, and optimism fade as you get older, it is people like you who CAN grow up to change the world. YES WE CAN!

America will be breathing a sigh of relief when Bush's term is over. In my opinion the problems are just a beginning.

First of all, Obama is not the Savior. He will not solve the problems that America and the world is facing.America's deficit will grow due to social handouts, America's morale will further decay with giving in to special interest groups and increased political correctness.

I have no respect for anyone who looks at children as "punishment'. I hate to burst your bubble Arjun but you are hanging out with the wrong crowd.

I commend the actions of these children. We should be taking a look and following them. Many children have no clue what is going on in this world and for these children to be so enthusiastic in politics is incredible and should be applauded.

There is no need to be so negative about a letter written, even if an adult assisted. The actions are clear and I for one am proud to have these young Canadians in my country.

I would prefer to read about this, than youths killing others.

Everyone is missing the message of the 9 year young....COMMUNICATION.....He want to be a good communicator in anything....Lets encourage our young instead of putting them down....it is better than having him in a gang or carrying a gun...

Keep it up....Show all of CANADA that there's hope for our young generation.

Those negative people are dream killers. Don't listen what they're saying and keep on doing what you know better than all of them; write, dream, and stay who you are! You are only accountable to yourself.

Cheers and best regards,

Hi ARJUN,AVI&ASHOK, we are thrilled to know see and hear of this great achievement of yours and at such a tender age.

This only and definitely proves"It is not essential to be old to be old in years to be worthy of wisdom.had it been so the exibits in a museum would be the wisest of all:.CHEER UP. We are all proud of your initiative,resolute

determination,action,achievments and recognition.Kids like you are the true leaders of toomorow.Blessings and good wishes to you and your parents.

my name is ambika and i am 5 yeers oold. i red your speach and i am proud of you. i am lerning form you. good luk in your competishun. i love you.

Arjun,

You have done an excellent job writing this article. Keep it up and one day you could get to write books.

I remember meeting your father when he was nine years old in Sydney, Nova Scotia and he used to be a very intelligent and service oriented young man.

You have acquired a lot of traits from parents and grandparents. You have inspired a lot of people and I am proud of it. Wish you well in life.

I read this essay and as I read tears flow down my cheeks, truely inspiring, thanks for sharing. You too are an inspiration.

Hey, this thing has gone viral!

I just saw your story link on a Chinese blog. Great story you kids.

What an adventure you must have had over this last year watching the man you have come to admire become the leader of the western world.

To have been a part of this great journey, wow! You should be very proud of your selves boys. Very few children or adults would have the conviction to give up their money, their valuables & their precious time to help bring change to another country. You must be pretty insightful to realize this will also bring change to your own country & the rest of the world, not just America.

As my friends & I celebrate Barack Obama's inauguration in 2 days, I will think of you 3 & the hard work you & others like have done to help bring about this day.

I hope you have learned alot from this experience. I hope it will keep you engaged in your world. I hope you will continue to work hard to bring about change for you & for others.

I will retell your stories to others & have linked your posting to my friends & aquaintances. What an amazing story & what amazing kids!

Best of luck.

Jimmy.

How exciting to read the words of someone still young who is destined to make real contributions to society. In a world so full of cynicism, I wish you a lifetime of resiliency, Arjun.

I will be among those watching for your name on the Canadian scene in a decade or two.
Bravo and thank you to parents like the Pandeys who raise children like these boys.

wow. got locked out while i was trying to post my words last time.

Barack Obama has brought hope for America & the world. This is a man who marks the end of an era of blind devotion to idealogy & petty minded divisions.

For too long, the world has suffered at the hands of the idealogues who are prepared to do anything in the name of "freedom". Freedom for whom? It is not just America that has suffered at the hands of terrrorists. We have also lost & been harmed. We must rise above the fear & hatered that arises & confront the challenges with hope & compassion.

Barack Obama brings that sense of hope & compassion. He has motivated young people around the world to seek out new ways to do things & engage in constructive dialogue.

The fact that young children can be so motivated by such a man to give up thier time, money & peronal momentos in the cause of change speaks to the greatness of the man who inspired them. It also speaks of the greatness of the children that they became engaged in such a way & worked so deligently to help bring about change in their world.

Lets all hope for better times ahead & lets all work to make that happen as 3 children clearly have.

Well Arun, great to see you participate in democracy.

As for war in Afganistan; I do believe the Canadian troops are TRYING to stabilize the place so it can be normal again and run by Afganis. So they can have what we take for granted. The truth is, for them the standard is still lower. Having a place where people are not killed for no reason would be nice.

Hard to say its right but you are free to investigate the history of the place. Seriously, you will CRY.

Afganiston is stuck between many major powers and while they are famous for repelling invaders, they've had plenty of bad luck.

I could be wrong but I believe the Taliban, which was apparently installed by other contries too, did a lot of bad things.

Imagine, a girl not being allowed to go to school? Having acid thrown in her face? Being beaten because someone else believes she MUST wear a hajib? In Canada, a waman wears a hajib because she WANTS to. It means something.

Imagine, peace to you.

Arjun: I wish you the very best and applaud your hard work and commitment. While I appreciate your admiration of President-Elect Obama, I do hope that you will choose to put your talents to work on behalf of Canada.

To Peter in Edmonton: With an attitude to like yours, I would suggest you spend less time on the internet and more time reading with your kids...you're bound to learn something.

Greetings Arjun,I'm very delighted to read about you and your two brothers great achievements and also the support of your parents love and understanding and wisdom,this is a true testimony of the sense of maturity you've demonstrated at such a tender age. Wishing all the best in the future BLESSED LOVE.

I am truly impressed by Arjun and his family, and by their willingness to be involved in civic life rather than just study it!
I share Arjun's hope, as do so many of here in the US. But, we know that it is not just this one person whom we have elected to lead us, but ALL of us who must work to turn around the malaise which has overtaken the US. It won't be easy, nor is it even a sure thing, but we will try -- and we will welcome the help and support of our sisters and brothers around the world, and especially in Canada!

Maybe we have a future leader in the making here, Obama may have just stirred something inside this young man, some Canada has not had for many years, a leader, someone who will inspire people to vote and bring respect back to politics.

Derek

Graham - why don't you move to Cuba or China? The little kid is not a communist. It seems that you're upset at Obama winning.

Whenever a child reaches an advanced level, there are always people out there to put them down. I was reading and writing at four, as were my daughter and son. Not all children may be capable of that at an early age, some are remarkable in other ways. But all children have the ability to soar at something.

It's sad to read diatribes of supposed knowledgeable adults, put this young man down, and with questionable grammar and spelling.

Arjun, you should be proud of yourself, proud of your family for staying involved in anything that can create such a dream, such a calling in one so young. Good luck to you. I am sure that you will use your life wisely.

Arjun, Congratulations to you, your brothers and your parents. My family is also very excited about the new president Barak Obama. Your story and your words are remarkable. It is clear that when you believe in something you put your heart and soul into it. You are a born leader. Don't let the criticism of others hold you back from pursuing your dreams. When you run for office the majority of us will be voting for YOU!

You have achieved what you set out to do. Your words have made a difference. It has moved us to tears and it has stirred up discussion with others around the globe. You have inspired many and others will follow your lead to make positive changes in our world because of your inspiring story.

Never lose the passion that is withing you. You are a very gifted young man and are blessed with a generous and supportive family.
Again, congratulations to you all.

I have lived my life as a white middle class female. When I was young I believed in equality, justice, truth, love, and that right will win. Later in life I married an Iranian and was awakened to a whole other reality. After 8 years and then a divorce I later found myself with a black man and again my world was broadened.

I now am a white woman with dreadlocks who covers my head in public every day. I carve out a life in a mixed family in suberbia where there is collective permission to hate those who do not submit to the status quo. I have learned first hand how people can be cruel and marginalize those who are "different". Racism is that collective power that gives an individual permission to act out the collective hate/fear. When it's in children they call it bullying which is rampid in the burbs.

Having said this I must also say that my 14 year old daughter who is of mixed race and she too has dreadlocks. She has also experienced too much injustice first hand. She said to me "Maybe Obama is for real, I hope so because there is so much that we humans are doing wrong it makes me think we are just wired wrong and should be wiped out to save the planet from total distruction."

I started to tell her how he is not the only one in charge and there are a lot of faceless people who have power to dictate much of what happens in the world. She stopped me short and said "Please let me belived that there is a chance for change at least until I'm 16". I stopped and said let's hope but I did not really have hope beliving that if he is good they will kill him, or he will be another good actor playing the role assigned to him.

But today I cried. For the first time in a long time I allowed myself to innocently, whole heartedly, hope that the collective conscience of hate, division, distruction and fear can change. Obama awakens, embopdies and speaks to that hope and gives us an opportunity to collectively hope. Dare we

Dear Arjun

My Dad used to help me write my speeches when I was 11 years old and School Captain and Dux of my school here in Sydney Australia. The ideas came from my heart and he helped me express them with impact.

It is only with help that we improve. The best way to succeed in life is to have mentors all along the way. And you will find that you will outgrow your mentors, and then it will be time to get a new one. Obama is one of your mentors, just like Martin Luther King Jr is one of mine.

When readers criticise your writing, their comments come from regret that they never had the confidence to do what you've done.

If someone helped refine your writing, then you are smart like Warren Buffet and Oprah, who both had strong mentors. You are also well acquainted with the world of public figures and great successes, most of whom employ ghostwriters and speech writers.

Keep on going.
Regards
Milly

What a great kid you are,hope you get involved in local politics when you grow up. congratulations

Wow! What an amazing child! I am stunned and disgusted that anyone could have anything negative to say about this boy! Whether or not he had help on his speeches or letter does not matter; all great leaders have help in writing or editing their speeches! What matters is that his message is pure and heartfelt and he got out from behind the mind-numbing video games that most kids his age are absorbed by and actually did something to make the world a better place. That is far more than most of us adults have been able to accomplish in our lifetimes! For that I applaud Arjun and his family and I am inspired to be a better person myself. I believe Arjun will grow up to be an inspiring leader. I sincerely hope that he does not allow other people's negativity and perhaps jealousy hinder his course in any way. Keep fighting for what you believe in Arjun!

WOW!What a great show! Carry on. Faith in the power of words.

Arjun - congratulations and keep up the good work. When you are in Grade 10 be sure to apply to Shad Valley, you will love being surrounded by kids just like you. To the people who doubt that a nine year old could be so gifted, you are wrong. My eldest son, now on a full tuition scholarship, could write that well at age nine. My second son (also a high 90s average) was writing letters to the editor unassisted at 7. My daughter could write page-long essays at age 6. So could I. We too have some South Asian ancestry, but I think that my kids are the way they are because of what they were encouraged to do (and not to do). I read to each of them daily even as infants. They listened to discussions and documentaries on the news channels from an early age. I encouraged them to keep journals and write anything they felt like writing. I discouraged them from wasting time watching shows or playing video games that were not educational. I find that there is too much emphasis on mindless entertainment for children rather than participation in sports, music and constructive goal-oriented pursuits. They can and will learn if given an opportunity. Clearly Arjun's parents gave him that opportunity. I find that many people here depend far too much on the overcrowded school system and do not make enough effort to teach and encourage their own children.

It's amazing the negative, Anti-American comments spewing from Canadians! Wow, for a moment I thought I was on the BBC website with all the 'we hate Americans' rhetoric.

To the young man Arjun, I hope your interest in politics continue into adulthood and that your generation continues the democratic tradition that we take for granted in the western world. May your generation inspire and change the world. You are the future.

To the negative, complainers on this site I ask, " If Obama is so terrible, would you prefer John McCain then?" People criticise Obama yet they don't offer an alternative candidate. Would the McCain/Palin ticket be better than Obama/Biden? How about another Bush-like presidency? Obama is not the Saviour, I agree. But at least he not a laughing stock like Bush!

Arjun,
I am speaking out of turn because I am not Canadian, but from the United States, but I can't stop myself. The fate of the United States and Canada are inextricably bound. Still, you must know that your idealism is important. Without it, this world has no hope. Obama, Dr. King, Robert and John Kennedy and many others were only able to effect this world from idealism.

But don't sell yourself short. Canada embodies those ideals far better than the USA does. In many ways, through public education, transportation, and health care Canada embodies those public ideals far better than the USA does. Pierre Trudeau is a fine example to follow. Don't worry about the brilliant but distant Barack Obama. Your country is a superb place for the kind of politics that the whole world needs. Do your work there and you will touch the entire globe.
All My Best,
Ray Kamalay

I think this is well written and edited - when i was 10 i could write just as well.

Arjun good job! I'm glad you did something you were passionate about - a quality that is hard to find many people. You felt and believed strongly in Obama and you put your heart into supporting him. I and pleased with you and your two brothers - excellent!

I hope you focus on all the good being said rather the negative stuff here - there will always be people who go against you and thats just reality.

Arjun,
You truly are an inspiration. Forget what your critics say, doubting the authenticity of your words -- did they not read that you re the winner of many public speaking competitions? Obviously you have a way with words!
Congratulations on making a difference and getting involved in the world around you... too many of us get discouraged by all the negativity and become apathetic. You are an example to anyone who has ever wanted to make a change for the better. I certainly will try to follow in your footsteps!
Please continue in your work and social engagement, you are obviously intellectually gifted and have a lot to contribute to our world. I expect you'll do great things in the future. Thank you for sharing your story Arjun.

This is a very interesting ARTICLE

XD

Michael McCarthy