In normal circumstances, we donot write retort to posts published by fellow bloggers. But these are not ordinary times and Media Watch believes that Anna Hazare's Indefinite hunger strike is an issue of national importance. We think it is important that we counter and nip at bud the negative arguments being raised by fellow bloggers at offstumped and other "national interest" think tanks.
Few weeks back, I ended up in front of the big screen to see this much anticipated animation movie called Rango. Its about an ordinary chameleon who accidentally winds up in the town of Dirt, a lawless outpost in the Wild West in desperate need of a new sheriff. With a little bit of luck, Rango becomes sheriff and last hope for citizens of dirt. Even though the movie didnot live up to expectations, One of several memorable quotes in the movie was
You see them, Mr Rango? All my friends and neighbors. It’s a hard life here. Very hard. Do you know how they make it through each and everyday? They believe. They believe it’s going to be better. The believe that the water will come. They believe against all odds and evidence that tomorrow will be better than today. [he opens a wooden box which contains Sheriff badges] People have to believe in something. Right now, they believe in you.
Town of Dirt throws their full weight behind Rango in the end restoring sanity in the town.
There are many parallels between the plot of Rango and the current social environment in India. India today is facing an unprecedented situation which is no different from the situation in Dirt. Corruption is eating into every foundation and fabric of society be it legislators, press, Judiciary or police no one is immune. Perhaps for first time in history of India corruption is not measured in lakhs and crores but in percentage of GDP.(At last count it stood at 4% of India GDP). Public furore over recent scams indicate that as a nation we are starting to realize that eradicating corruption must be one of the priorities. But inspite of heightened awareness one cant help but despair when prime minister of the nation who is expected to lead this fight against corruption tries to justify corruption as a compromise need to be made in coalition government.
Situation has come to such a head that normal piecemeal measures will not solve this deluge. Rhetoric calling for structural changes or institutions which can produce 100 clean politicians, 1000 bureaucrats etc will also not work. As all of these depends on good intentions of ruling class. How can we rest our hope on a Government which appoints people of questionable characters as Central Vigilance commissioner and as head of GoM formulating proposed anti-corruption bill, effectively handing the house to thieves.
This is also not a fight which can be won by a few good men or women. Instead of breast-beating over the sorry state of affairs, the Aam Admi must rise in anger and get actively involved in rooting out the corruption. He has to fight and agitate to effect paradigm changes in the system what ever it may be. Its amusing some people raising concern on mode of agitation being used by Anna. This country was born from satyagrahas of Mahtma Gandhi. We used same methods to fight emergency declared by congress government. This whole canard about "subversion of democracy' due to Anna Hazare's fast is merely a red herring by some armchair theorists who stands to benefit from current states of affairs. An abnormal reaction is required for abnormal situation. Need of hour is our own Jasmine revolution against corruption. one can't make an omelets without breaking eggs.
Changes in any form and shape is welcome as it will only strengthen the fight & resolve against corruption. Change can be in form a Jan Lokpal bill. Yes you may argue on draft of the proposed Jan lokpal bill but it is still a step forward in right direction. If one had waited for a perfect bill we would not have even got our constitution considering the fact we have effected 94 amendments to the Constitution of India in last 60 years! The important fact is it atleast demonstrates seriousness of our intentions to fight corruption head-on. In a country which thrives on symbolism, demonstration of intention is sometimes enough to bring positive changes. Change can even be hardening of public resolve against corruption. History littered with examples when mass agitations have changed the way how society responds to a certain issue.
Unfortunately, for common man to rise he need to believe.... He needs to believe in the possibility of a better tomorrow... He need to believe in a selfless leader who will show them the path. In other words if town of Dirt needed a Rango with sheriff badge, India needs Anna Hazare to believe it. And if one were to follow the chatter in social media or mass outpouring of support we can be certain that Anna has caught the imagination of the mass. India it seems has finally found a savior who would lead them in a do or die battle against corruption
This is not the moment to ponder and reflect. This is moment of action not to be missed at any cost. Citizen of India has to ignore & isolate the asuras who will sow seeds of doubt in your mind. Every Indian has to come forward and immerse themselves to the fight against corruption. If not the future generation will never forgive us
Vande Matram
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