Anna Hazare rocked the country and how! It is really fascinating to see how something that started as a small campaign has turned into a revolution and covered the entire nation in a matter of time. Through this revolution, the “aam admi” has found a collective voice. For the past two weeks the revolution taking place in front of our eyes culminated with a day long debate in the Parliament that resulted in a victory for the people of India, the very people who are embodied in the opening sentence of our Constitution. If I am not much mistaken, it was the first time in our independent history when the will of the people was truly heard. Though the methodology used was soaked in the Gandhian philosophy of non-violence, it had a new, ‘hatke’ flavour of the modern India.
Some very true and amazing lines that I read about Annaji: “These voices were galvanised and aroused by one diminutive man whose main claim to fame was his honesty that he wears as proudly as his cap and who has come to represent the David that could slay the Goliath called corruption.” It was just like what is described in the above lines and we all saw that. To challenge the government on an issue like ‘corruption’ was never going to be an easy task for Annaji, but his vision was (and still remains) clear about what he was fighting against and who he was fighting for.
India last witnessed such a mass movement in the original “August Kranti”. Anna Hazare has been into a war of sorts for the past many days. Patriotism spilled onto the roads. Indian flags could be seen everywhere. It was as if the atmosphere was coloured in the colours of the tricolor of India. The spirit of revolution was infused in various forms. Everyone was glued to the TV for the past 2-3 weeks. Everyone was wishing, praying, blogging, facebooking, googleing all their support for the old neo Gandhi.
I was especially sad reading the poor comments made by Arundhati Roy. Some funny comments I read about this matter: “Arundhati better drink coke/beer/whiskey and relax. She is not at all Indian like. She can find a chord only with Naxals and Kashmiri Separatists.”
Through his success, Annaji reiterated the old saying, “If there is a will, there is a way.” Our country is ill. And we must look after our ill mother. We all came together for the cause of this ‘JanLokpal Bill'. However, we must understand that this is not the end, but just the beginning of the end of some ancient concepts which rooted to our country since ages, e.g., we Indians are unbelievably tolerant class of people. Fine. Being tolerant is good, but for which matters we are being tolerant is of utmost importance. We must not be lenient about the issues like corruption etc which affect one and all. If we want India to become a ‘Super Power’, we must behave like one. If we say that India is democratic then we must understand the true meaning of the word and act like a true democrat.
This movement headed by Annaji is a very good start. I solemnly salute the courage, the honesty, the integrity and the “never say die” spirit of the 74-year old Indian who has reignited the flame of Patriotism in me as well as my 1.2 billion countrymen.
Jai Hind!
