When Barack Obama is sworn in as U. S. president next week, Brantford Ontario's Irvinder Singh Babra will be there.
A freelance journalist with more than 20 years experience, Babra said the chance to cover Obama's inauguration is a career highlight.
"I'm excited," the 58-year-old said on Tuesday. "It's a unique thing, an extraordinary thing."
Born in India, Babra originally worked as a teacher but switched to journalism in 1984. He worked for the Daily Nation in Nairobi, Kenya, and started his own newspaper, the Sikh Press, in 1991 after moving to Canada.
Although the paper ceased production in 2005, he still writes freelance pieces for a number of papers. Babra has been eagerly following Obama's journey to the White House for more than a year. When Obama won the election Nov. 4, Babra immediately applied for press credentials to cover Tuesday's inauguration.
"November was the beginning of a new era," he said. "It has taken over 200 years for a black man to become president.
"I want to be there."
Babra said he has covered a number of prominent leaders in his time, including Nelson Mandela. But the chance to be part of what he sees as a historic occasion is irresistible.
"Once a journalist, always a journalist," he said.
Babra received confirmation of his invitation on Friday via email, along with a lengthy list of dos and don'ts, including what to wear. He plans to fly to Washington late Monday or early Tuesday and will be staying with a friend while he's there.
He said the inauguration of America's 44th president is an event that "appeals to the ordinary person.
"People feel uplifted," he said. "He's created a new kind of leadership."
He believes Obama has what it takes to lead the U. S. through tough economic times. The Obama presidency will also be good for Canada, he said. He sees it as a positive sign that the new president's first foreign visit will be to Canada.
"I feel energized as a result of Nov. 4," he said. "Just to be there (on Tuesday), to be a part of it, is a high point in my career."