But I'd like to ask you to recollect the time when you were in school, or the time now, when you're in college, and under a system of governance or institutionalization (or the utter and destructing lack of it), something which you hate from its very definition. What do we really do about this system Do we try to revolt, rebel or even very slightly reform it We rather succumb to making our essential materialistic ends meeting (read earning a degree with a good character certificate). But yes, the one thing that we do, and very fiercely too, is that we blame the system, whether it is when we get bad grades, when we're put through pointless (or so we presume) extra-classes or when we've to submit hand-written assignments. We do it all the time, when high on alcohol, or low on morale. We just can't blame it enough. And yes, here I believe that I possibly cohere with Kaura's line of thought that 'politiciansheads-of-state are meant to be hated.'
But, well, all I can do is comment on the way in which the average Indian functions, the way in which he reacts to that which transpires around him, that which happens to people he sees on TV and rarely, (as in this circumstance) to that which happens to him. Yes, although it always makes a good point and nice rebellious reading to smirk about how pathetically our politicians have handled the current crisis, what I rather like to bear in mind is the fact that, the same way I don't blame Rahul Dravid for having (as many people say) an extremely pathetic strike-rate, since I self do not know how to hold a bat, or throw a ball for that matter. Similarly, I do not consider myself to be in capacity of aiming mud-cannons at the likes of Mr. Modi, or Mr. Patil, for not only do I not know how to hold a bat in the game (of administering a whole nation), but neither do I know the frigging basics of it (of cricket, I do).
We, as Indians need to make ourselves more aware, and I ask this not as to defend the mud-drenched political class and higher bureaucracy, but for our own well-being. Making ourselves more aware shall help us better understand the systems that actually run this country, or any other for that matter. They shall empower us, all of us, in a way we can possibly never imagine.
Yes, writing, of course is a very powerful means of expressing and voicing concern. And yes, the constitution does give us the right to freedom (of expression). Although, sadly enough the constitution has no clause which states listening to/abiding by as a duty/responsibility. We need to rise beyond writing and talking about all that which is not correct, all that which is oh-so-wrong-and-unfair. We need to start doing something about it. Well, voicing concern is a much-required step, you might argue. But, precious, this first-step to liberation and enlightenment has been taken by thousands before you and I, its the second step we need to take.
And yes, I would only be re-inventing the wheel (one which unfortunately hasn't yet been set into motion) if I don't end this by providing any useful answers.
Answers.
Well, you could start by enlightening the lesser fortunate masses with your wisdom, with basic essential knowledge about their rights, about their duties.
"Magar yeh sab toh nGO wale log karte hain, main kyun karun!"
Well, if you believe that merely blogging is going to help you spur out a national revolution or reforms in our country then you seriously need a rain-check. I'm not sure of the statistics (stating which would seem very impressive) but I firmly believe that the proportion of the country's population that does actually have access to/makes 'use' of the internet is way less than 30 odd %.
So, in the end I'd like to quote something that has always moved me and is from the movie 'nayak.'
"Yeh raajneeti keechad hai. Sabhi nau-jawaanon ko yehi lagta hai. Aur isiliye koi bhi isme jaana nahi chahta. Magar jab tak koi is naali main utar ke is keechad ko saaf nahi karega, tab tak yeh keechad, keechad hi rahega. Aur yeh naali, bas naali nahi yeh. Yeh hamara desh hai. Tumhara desh hai."
Koff-Koff.
I always get a wee bit sentimental regarding this stuff.
Apologies.
5 comments:
sweet :)
I love the nayak quote
and yeah you hit the nail on the head love it :D
yay u wrote :)
@ hakim:
yaar, I absolutely love the title :), been making me smile for a while.,
Having read this post twice over now, I'm still not able to manage an agreement on a number of ideas:
a) I still cannot grant a 'let-go' to those responsible for it, technically or otherwise., only because I myself might not have fared better in a similar situation. It's not my job, and hence am I conveniently spared of much flak. The politicians, as I remember, make no excuses on their successes, I see no reason for them to act otherwise on their shortcomings.
b) Writing, is not a solution at all, I grant. But that's all that I can possibly do given the degree of serious thought and attention someone of my age can administer. I'm only happy that I'm heard even if it is to a flaccid 30%. Not a bad start.,
c) To plug the possibility to a solution, is being pessimistic and sad, and that is 'not' what I have suggesting all this while. I appreciate the idea of an extensive educating format you introduced; it'd garner much response I'd like to believe, even if not a very euphoric one. There's this concept of crossing the bridge when you reach one., and I only wished (and continue to) , that we first acknowledge a problem before we venture out seeking possible solutions to it.,
and yea, nayak quote mast hai :)
@gsb - and now that you've successfully managed to learn what the word mock means, try checking "butting-out" :)
@ duggal : hitting below the belt is subject to disqualification :)
@duggal:
It makes me glad to see you agreeing, even if only minutely, and more importantly to see you smile, even if its just the title that has that effect.
The Problems and Answers will keep on coming, to each, his own. Finding a single unifying problem might not be impossible, but time taking for sure. This snail-paced process should obviously never deter us from beginning to practice possible solutions, a responsible and easily accessible knowledge disseminating platform, for example.
We can not 'wait' for the 'perfect' solution to come to our heads and in the meanwhile allow more degeneration to occur, almost naturally.
I do not ask you to forgive the politicians. But then again, isn't the blame-game and the almost forced resignation of politicians under public pressure merely a preventive measure, which is extremely false and short-lived at the least.
What would be corrective, nevertheless, would be the developing of an in-depth assessment of the system, its functioning, developing a good understanding of it, and in the future going on to handling it, participating in it.
And yes, a greater realization of responsibility on the citizens' part is called for. We need to look for the PROBLEM in not just the Political class, or its people, but in India as a whole.
Lastly, I agree that at your age (and even mine for that matter, only 2 more after all), there is little that you (I) can do but write (this blog, our respective blogs and our many rat-race exams). But we're doing at least this.
Whether social and materialistic competitive obligations allow us to take a more deviant, different, daring path is a different story. But at least it sure is a start that we do consider the possibility of ordaining ourselves with the "cleaning of the keechad."
Maybe, and just hopefully-maybe, and in spite of what our parents, systems of education and our own money-minded selves have planned out for us, we will go ahead and bring the CHANGE.
Amen.
(No, I don't believe in a God, it's merely a figure of speech :D )
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