Saturday, August 27, 2011

Phew!!! A sigh of relief finally. The 13-day fast of Mr. Anna Hazare is going to be broken tomorrow morning. The govt-common man battle has partially ended and that too, on a positove note. I am glad as is every citizen of the country. After the long arguments and debates, and the speculations of media, it is out that the bill has been sent to the standing committee.  'Sense of the house' was adopted by thumping on the desks and not voting. Today was a remarkable day in history with extraordinary debates going on in Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha. Eventually, the parliament is silenced by the people, so fists did the job of voices.

It was interesting to hear from the 'netas', their side of the story. With Sushma Swaraj stating the count as to how many times the lokpal bill has been presented in parliament. Having heard from her that this is the ninth time since 1968, when it was first presented, Jotiraditya schindia answered back asking why BJP govt has not passed the bill when they were in power. Then Laloo Yadav fuming with some irrelevant speech. Actually it was a day spent watching so much drama and ups-and-downs, that I thought indian daily-soap makers could learn from it. As I read in newspaper article, TRPs of our favourite Saas-Bahu doses has gone tragically down, while News channels are encashing the campaign effect, courtesy - Anna.

One of the few things that is still embossed in my mind is the out-of-nowhere speech of Rahul gandhi. It's as if he was waiting for his moment of glory to come when as a secretary of AICC, he would back the bill and suggest some way out of it while the govt has been keeping mum for 11 days. Was he trying to become a hero dictating a speech written on a piece of paper? 'I feel the time has come for us to seriously consider this idea' - these were his words. Was he not in conscience when the first time the appeal was made? While he was visiting some farmers and keeping it low key when people all over the nation protested on streets? UPA was dumbfounded as was the PM. Now when the verdict is declared, Mr. Singh has nothing to say other than 'Parliament's will is the will of the people'.

Some other 'aflatoon' remarks caught my attention too. Bal Thakre would do what he is known for. Be it govt or now, the Anna team, he would always give his state-of-art sarcastic remarks. He asked Anna to break his fast and suggested that Kejriwal, Bhushan and Kiran Bedi should take forward the legacy, further saying that they seem fit and energetic having had four breakfasts and two meals. What on earth is he trying to convey? And there is Mayawati, seeming worried, asking Anna to contest the elections and bring the bill they want. Ha!

In the middle of such depressing comments, there was saintlike innocence on that rugged face, with the impact of 'anshan' clearly visible. Also, it was entertaining to watch Kiran Bedi on stage at Ramlila Maidan, addressing the whole lot of followers, saying 'Ye desh ke neta aur unke mukhaute' and enacting at the same time. She asked people to watch each MP carefully during the debate in parliament, listen to what they say, then decide whether you would vote for them in the next elections. Well said.

Now, as I recall the happennings in last couple of days, I feel that apart from the anti-corruption bill, there were other benefits too, as a result of this campaign. The majority of young people were seen protesting on streets, in Amrawati around ten thousand students took oath to eradicate corruption by not giving and taking bribes. This is a change that this movement has brought. The awareness in youth of India has surely increased over the last two weeks. Not going far, let me tell u my own story. In the twenty five years I have lived, today is the first time I watched Loksabha debate. I was not aware which minister headed which department. I remember as a kid, I often asked my father 'Do you understand what's going on in there?' while he watched Loksabha live on DD1. May be I have grown up now that today I did understand 'What's going on in there!!'

Many of us don't use their right to vote to bring on the change. We are indifferent towards whatever is going on in the country but we are the first when complaigning. This attitude should change. Our forefathers have crafted our way, and we owe it to the future generations.

The next thing is Lokpal being implemented. Let us try and use the law for betterment of ourselves and welfare of the nation. Don't let the 'Babus' budge u, nor the TCs ask for their extra share of the fare.

Speaking of the implementation reminds me of the flaw in the bill, it believes corruption is an unethical practice involving public money. It has nothing to do with the corporate corruption. Let us hope that the next revolutionary movement of our times, would be about removing this flaw too.

Well, concluding on a note that we've just witnessed 'Inqalab' and 'Satyagraha' of modern times; something to share with our grandchildren when they'll be learning lessons of history syllabus!!

4 comments:

  1. Well written , very good thought. Hoping to see more sensible and gengoistic thought , like this from ur side. Keep it up.

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  2. Very closely watched and nicely quoted, Good work,
    Thanks.

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  3. It was really a historic episode that we have witnessed and participated in.. You have penned it very well..Great going Richa! Keep writing.

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  4. Excellent Write, from the heart and supperb flow of thoughts. Good job.

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