Joe Biden’s inauguration

Joe Biden’s inaugural address on Wednesday signified America’s desperate resolve to turn away from its unseemly and embarrassing recent past. The new incumbent was denied a significant transition period and is likely to face plenty of pitfalls and stumbling blocks early on. Rather than let the weight of those expectations and apprehensions bear him down, he must ensure he works with a clear vision and approach and draw lessons from his predecessor’s errors of judgment. With the world watching, Biden certainly has an uphill challenge ahead. As for Trump, it is best he fades into history to close one of American democracy’s darkest chapters with a semblance of dignity, though that possibility appears rather remote. Ajay Dogra