On new year morning, while browsing through the news pages, I feel more anguish than ever in last one year. I know, these days commercialism matters more than journalism because there is an enterprise of media to look after. But still to digest the over the top year end reviews of "Oops moment of 2011, "Poonam Pandey 2011" or bollywood/cricket reviews". One person whom I can dedicate whole one year, he will be none other than Anna Hazare. Some of the events that occurred last week wipe out a constant struggle of one year.
Anna won due to people but defeated by leaders of the same people.
Lakpal bill or Jan-lokpal-bill, I hardly care, what I care is that do the people have it in them to change. We have read about freedom struggle, heard tales about it but there was a chance for reform the freedom but after 65 years. I, as a citizen of country demand a strong check points at every point to safe guard moral and ethical practices in government machinery . Ethics in our society is at its very low point. We celebrate success but do we really care about means to achieve it. Last year two events where one the most ethical person India can ever produce was named and which saddened me to the core. Mr. Ratan Tata ( I don't need any introduction) said a comment that many times he was asked for kickback deals in his past. If a person with Mr Tata's caliber refuse to do whistle-blow, can anyone imagine what average person in a small village or town can take up the job to protest against corruption. The second one was again Nira Radia episode with Ratan Tata where he himself admitted that it was need of the hour to stay in the competition. This is state of the most ethical corporate that we brag about. Again Radia case exposed how much to trust the current media. These days if a new so called "breaking news" reveals another 1000s of Crore worth scam I do not even give a damn shit to read that news. In 2G case all the corporate showed their ugly side. Even sports seems to loss its sacredness. Irony is that, those who have been accused of all these, we celebrate them by saying a famous line " have made it large". Mark my words Nira Radia or Kanimozhi may well be next Big Boss Contestant to tell their story to larger audience. We easily say corruption has become a become a part of life.
At this moral low point , one Septuagenarian, stand tall by unifying people of india. There were sceptical like me at the begining but there was an unearthing wave of hope which touched billions and billions.At the outset the rich were socked and sarcarstic, political class was abusive. There was two section of media, one blindly supporting(Melodramatic Hindi Media) and the other was trying to hold onto ego(White Collared sanctimonious English Media). But there was these billions of common man who has been inhibited ,subdued,dunned and crucified ( run short of words) for these years saw a means show their choler and fretfulness towards policy makers. Initially everyone was sarcastic about the youth with a common phrase " These agitator are internet voters but real voters are in safe custody". But the real voters also took to the streets and that shook the political class.
Gandhi was gift to the nation who transcends few generations of human race. But today Gandhi has not much value than the prints on Indian Bills( Which I seriously can't believe why a man who disowned materialism of the world has his imprint in the most materialistic object in our society) or Gandhi was shown in a movie which laughed, joked or may be sulk little bit and moved on. There was a Gandhian who showed in this land of 121 billions you can spread your word by non-violent and truthfulness. His objective was correct and path chosen was consecrated. The political society was shaken.
But politics played his part and mind you these are shrewd people at work. They took few step backward and gave all the accolades to Anna but prepared a blue print to bilk the opponent once again. The challenge of Anna was how to handle the undue enemies he is creating by getting the overwhelming love of people. Now every words from his mouth were scrutinized, twisted and attack and counter attack became the bread and butter of media. Politicians like hounded jackal was looking to take him down. Anna whose USP was his speaking of mind became the most dangerous grenade which causing havoc in own team. His team member were taken down individually. There was a debate when he said people are above parliament. Is not it what Lincon's greatest speech "of the people, by the people, for the people". Some said he is sexist, some said fascist. Power Slapping incident he spoke his mind. And who does not had that feeling after that incident. And this is what made Anna as people's face by just remain what he is and not pretending to political fool. Not everything about Anna and his team is correct but neither was Gandhi.
It was a sad end to a year which should have been year of hope rather than disgust. The country which needs a strong check points. If value of ethics can not imparted in a system it can be enacted by law. We have example of other countries where just the fear of law force people to remain ethical. But our leaders at their best in trying to prove Darwin wrong. They just do not want to evolve forget about reform. Anna abruptly ends his protest was symbolizes the darkness still prevails.
There was a chance to reinvent but have we missed it ? Now the man is down and sick. I hope a speedy recovery for him. Because we need Anna who can still implant hope in the heart of the people. We need Anna very much...........
